Tunisia to issue 300 MW tender for large-scale solar

Tunisia’s Prime Minister, Youssef Chahed has announced a plan to deploy around 1 GW of new renewable energy capacity in the country.

According to a government press release, the first tenders for solar and wind, the publication of which has been set for April 27, will lead to the allocation of 300 MW of solar in the states of Gafsa (100 MW), Tataouine (100 MW), Sidibuzid (50 MW) and Tozeur (50 MW); and 300 MW of wind in the states of Nabeul (200 MW) and Kabli (100 MW).

Overall, these projects are expected to raise private investments to the tune of 2 billion TND (around US$830 million), Chahed said.

Another tender for an additional 200 MW of large-scale renewable energy projects, for an estimated total investment of 500 million TND, is planned for the Tataouine Governorate.

Chahed added that several 10 MW solar projects will also be built in Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan, Kasserine and Tataouine; while smaller solar parks of 1 MW will be installed in Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan, Kasserine and Tataouine.

All of these projects, expected to raise private investments totaling 200 million TND, are expected to be developed in Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan, Kasserine and Tataouine, under an unspecified system of licenses.

Chahed said the administrative procedures for renewable energy projects up to 1 MW will be simplified via a few, undivulged, changes to the country’s renewable energy law by the end of this year.

Under its renewable energy strategy, Tunisia aims to install 4.7 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.