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Voltalia SA has been awarded a project to build a 130-MW solar park in Tunisia near the city of Gafsa. Construction is set to begin in 2025 with commercial

Tunisia has inaugurated four 2-MW photovoltaic plants in the Medenine governorate under its licensing regime, adding 8 MW of solar capacity. The projects, awarded in the fifth licensing round, involve about TND 16 million in investment, with officials pointing to lower electricity generation costs and reduced reliance on natural-gas imports.The rollout reflects broader market expansion. Tunisia has issued 187 licenses covering roughly 287 MW of renewable capacity in the same framework, with units sized from 1 MW to 10 MW. Two 50-MW utility plants in Tozeur and Sidi Bouzid have started operating, while a 100-MW PV project in Kairouan has generated power since December 2025. Rooftop solar has also grown, with households installing more than 430 MW under a self-generation scheme. Tunisia’s new 2-MW PV plants: costs, licensing, capacity growth, and gas import reduction? - Project overview (new Medenine 2-MW plants)- Four separate 2-MW utility-scale PV installations have been commissioned in Tunisia’s Medenine governorate, totaling 8 MW.- Costs / investment scale (what’s known and how it’s framed)- Total investment for the four projects is reported at around TND 16 million, supporting the case for low-cost, competitive solar generation under the country’s licensing approach.- The reported investment level is used by officials to argue that small-to-medium PV blocks can be financed and delivered more quickly than larger single projects.- Licensing and procurement framework- The projects were awarded in Tunisia’s fifth round of the licensing scheme for renewable energy generation.- Under this framework, developers receive a license to build and operate PV capacity within defined size bands (from small installations up to multi-megawatt projects).- The Medenine projects are positioned as part of a continuing, round-based expansion rather than a one-off procurement.- Capacity growth signal (how fast the pipeline is scaling)- Tunisia has issued 187 licenses under the same licensing system, covering roughly 287 MW of renewable capacity in total.- The experience with this staged rollout includes both smaller projects (such as the 2-MW Medenine units) and larger utility-scale developments, showing that the licensing regime supports a broader portfolio of project sizes.- Additional commissioned capacity under the scheme demonstrates momentum, including multi-decade use of PV in multiple regions and expanding output beyond pilot-scale projects.- Gas import reduction and grid impacts (how solar helps)- By adding dispatchable-in-legal-schedule solar energy during daylight hours, the new PV capacity is intended to displace some thermal generation, lowering the amount of gas needed for power production.- Officials link the commissioning of new solar plants to reduced natural-gas import dependence, reflecting a broader energy-security rationale for continued PV growth.- The cumulative effect of multiple licensed PV projects (not just Medenine) is expected to strengthen that displacement outcome over time as more capacity comes online.

SA has secured a 139-MW solar project in Menzel Habib, Tunisia, following its previous win in May for the Sagdoud solar project. This latest project is part

Tunisia is catching up on its renewable energy targets to decarbonise its economic climate and contribute to the global efforts for dealing with the difficulty of climate change. In a fresh development, Tunisia's Ministry of Energy, Mines and Renewable Energies has released 2 new tenders for the development of solar PV projects of cumulative capacity of 1 GW. The Tunisian government intends to construct eight solar energy plants having capacities of 100 MW in the first procurement exercise. According to the strategies, the project programmers will need to recognize as well as secure land for the solar projects. Tunisia intends to produce 30% of electricity from renewables by the end of this decade. The government is also aiming to decrease its carbon intensity by 41% by 2030. In the existing system of points, tenders will be awarded in four various rounds. Bidders can submit the solar energy project proposals by June 15, 2023 for the first round. The submission for the fourth as well as final round can be carried out in September 2025; the date is yet to be disclosed. The Tunisian authorities will certainly look to establish two 100 MW solar plants in the second tender in Hecha and also Khobna, in the governorates of Gabes and Sidi Bouzid. For this, the project developers will certainly be required to submit their proposals until May 18. According to reports, the projects that will be chosen for development most likely sell green power to Société tunisienne de l'électricité et du gaz (STEG), the state-owned grid operator of Tunisia. Some lasting power purchase agreements are expected to be inked for the purpose. Other details of procurement are yet to be divulged by the authorities. By the end of 2021, the overall mounted solar PV capacity of Tunisia was just 95 MW according to the IRENA. Previously this month, the African Development Bank Group accepted a $27 million and EUR10 million financing plan to co-finance the building of Tunisia's 100 MW Kairouan solar energy plant. It is among the 5 sustainable projects awarded in 2019 by the Tunisian government. Recently, its Energy Minister announced that the Mediterranean nation wants to add 2000 MW of green energy via RE tenders. In December 2019, Tunisia completed a 500 MW solar energy tender.

Tunisia's Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy has announced a tender to allocate 200 MW of solar photovoltaic capacity. Developers interested in the project can submit their proposals until January 31, 2025. The state-owned electricity and gas company, STEG, will purchase all produced electricity through a long-term power purchase agreement, with tariffs regulated by a ministerial decision from October 2024.This initiative follows Tunisia's earlier success in awarding two solar projects totaling 330 MW, including a 200 MW project by AMEA Power in Tataouine and a 130 MW project by France's Voltalia near Gafsa. The government is actively expanding its renewable energy infrastructure. What are the implications of Tunisia's new solar tender for renewable energy growth? Increased Renewable Energy Capacity: The new 200 MW solar tender represents a significant step towards expanding Tunisia's renewable energy capacity, contributing to the country's goal of achieving a mix of sustainable energy sources. Investment Opportunities: By opening up a tender that invites developers to bid, Tunisia is positioning itself as an attractive market for foreign and domestic investments in renewable energy, potentially drawing in significant capital. Job Creation: The construction and maintenance of solar parks require skilled labor, which can lead to new job opportunities in both the short and long term, boosting the local economy. Energy Independence: Expanding solar capacity can help Tunisia reduce its reliance on imported fossil fuels, improving its energy security and decreasing vulnerability to global energy market fluctuations. Climate Goals: The tender aligns with global efforts to combat climate change, helping Tunisia meet its international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and transition to cleaner energy sources. Technological Advancement: Encouraging private sector involvement in solar projects can bring in new technologies and innovation, potentially leading to improved efficiency and lower costs in solar energy production. Rural Development: Many solar projects are located in rural areas, which can lead to infrastructure improvements and increased economic activity in less developed regions, promoting equitable growth. Regulatory Framework: The regulated tariffs and long-term power purchase agreements provide a stable revenue model for developers, fostering a more predictable environment for investment. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): The government's engagement with private developers exemplifies a shift towards public-private partnerships, which can enhance project implementation speed and efficiency. Integration with Energy Policy: The tender complements Tunisia's broader energy policy, which aims for a more sustainable energy mix by increasing the share of renewables in the national energy portfolio. Potential for Export: As Tunisia enhances its renewable energy infrastructure, there is potential for excess production, which could pave the way for electricity exports to neighboring countries, thus fostering regional energy cooperation. Infrastructure Development: Successful implementation of solar projects may necessitate upgrades to existing energy infrastructure, which can enhance overall grid resilience and efficiency. Market Competitiveness: Increased participation from various developers can lead to competitive pricing in the renewable energy sector, ultimately benefiting consumers with lower energy costs. Raising Environmental Awareness: As renewable projects gain prominence, they also play a pivotal role in raising public awareness about climate issues and the importance of sustainable practices. Long-Term Energy Strategy: This initiative is part of Tunisia’s long-term strategy to diversify its energy sources, ensuring a more resilient energy future capable of supporting economic growth and societal needs.

Tunisia’s industry, mines and energy ministry launched a tender for a 300-MW solar plant paired with 150 MW/540 MWh of battery storage in Bazma, Kebili, on about 440 hectares under a concession agreement. It would be the country’s first solar-plus-storage project. Registration closes May 8; bids are due Oct. 14, 2026.The Bazma-Kebili project falls under Tunisia’s renewables program targeting 35% of electricity from renewables by 2030 and 50% by 2035, adding over 5 GW of capacity. In December, Tunisia cleared more than 2.3 GW for tender in 2026, including 2 GW of wind and a 350-MW solar project. What are eligibility criteria, bid security, and COD timeline for Tunisia’s Bazma concession? Latest global trend: renewables surpassed 30% of world electricity in 2023, with solar the largest annual capacity addition; 2024–2026 expected to accelerate on policy and manufacturing scale-up Cost dynamics: utility-scale solar PPA prices stabilizing after 2022–23 spikes from polysilicon, freight, and interest rates; modest declines expected as supply chains normalize Grid bottlenecks: interconnection queues exceed 2 TW in North America; reforms (cluster studies, tighter readiness screens, financial commitments) are shortening timelines in several ISOs Storage surge: lithium-iron-phosphate dominates new deployments; hybrid solar-plus-storage increasingly bids as firm, four-hour blocks; long-duration pilots (iron-air, flow, thermal) moving to first-of-a-kind scale Transmission: HVDC backbone proposals advancing to move remote wind/solar to load centers; undergrounded DC in highway/rail corridors gaining traction to ease siting risk Offshore wind: supply chain localization (monopiles, nacelles, cables) reduces currency and logistics exposure; floating platforms targeting deepwater West Coast, Mediterranean, and Japan Onshore wind: taller towers and longer blades unlock low-wind sites; repowering of 10–15-year-old fleets boosts capacity factors and extends life with minimal new land use Permitting reforms: “shot clocks,” concurrent reviews, and digital environmental assessments cutting timelines; community benefit agreements standardizing local value sharing Domestic manufacturing: rapid expansions in modules, cells, inverters, and trackers; nacelle, blade, and tower factories reopening near ports and rail hubs to cut lead times Supply chain resilience: diversified polysilicon, wafer, and cell sourcing; traceability tools (blockchain, mass-balance audits) to meet import compliance rules Corporate procurement: 24/7 carbon-free energy contracts growing; granular certificates tied to hourly emissions delivering higher climate impact than annual RECs Financial structures: tax credit transferability and direct pay broadening investor base; merchant exposure hedged via basis-insured PPAs and storage arbitrage Land use: agrivoltaics scaling for specialty crops and pasture; dual-use designs (elevated arrays, wider row spacing) maintain yields and biodiversity Environmental safeguards: avian-safe siting, bat deterrents, and curtailment algorithms; solar panel recycling and wind blade repurposing hubs expanding Emerging tech: perovskite-silicon tandems nearing pilot manufacturing; high-efficiency n-type TOPCon and heterojunction gaining share in utility builds Hydrogen: co-located electrolyzers soaking midday solar, providing grid services; e-fuel offtake from shipping and aviation anchoring project finance Demand-side orchestration: virtual power plants aggregating HVAC, EVs, and batteries; dynamic tariffs and real-time APIs enabling flexible load Buildings: heat pumps outselling gas furnaces in several markets; thermal storage (ice, phase-change) paired with rooftop PV to shave peaks Transportation: EV managed charging aligns with wind and solar profiles; bidirectional charging pilots provide distribution-level backup Data centers: hyperscalers signing firmed clean power with storage and geothermal; waste-heat reuse and on-site microgrids reduce grid stress  

Aeolus began commercial operations at the 60‑MW Sidi Bouzid solar plant in Tunisia, the first Scatec-developed project to reach COD in the country. The facility

they are set up on a water body. So this evaporation of water in nations like Tunisia, Which is water-stressed, certainly permits the dams to keep more water

is set to support development of a 130-MW solar project in Tunisia, bolstering utility-scale PV pipeline as the country seeks to cut fuel imports, modernize

producer Qair has commenced the construction of two solar parks in Feriana, Tunisia, adding a total of 20 MWp to the country’s power generation capacity.

discussed that there are three renewable energy programmes in Tunisia-- the concessions scheme for projects of over 100 MW, one that sustains

Tataouine Governorate. The solar facility was constructed in cooperation with Tunisia’s ETAP. No financial or technical details are revealed except that the

won the project in the international auction held by Ministry of Energy of Tunisia and STEG. The scope of work of the 20-year project ranges from designing to

by natural gas, production of which has gone stale recently, leaving Tunisia significantly susceptible to provide interruptions as well as unpredictable

Tunisian federal government has actually released a mandate that will certainly permit personal firms to generate renewable resource for self-consumption