The Elmed Project: A Controversial Undertaking to Connect Tunisian and Italian Power Grids
The Elmed project, aimed at linking the Tunisian and Italian power grids through a high-voltage underwater cable, continues to spark mixed reactions. In an interview on Diwan FM, Elyes Ben Ammar, a member of the General Federation of Electricity and Gas under the UGTT, expressed the trade union sector's reservations regarding the project's economic and strategic implications.
Background and Objectives
Designed to facilitate electricity exchanges between the two Mediterranean shores, the Elmed project is supported by the World Bank and the European Commission. The idea of an interconnection between Tunisia and Italy dates back to the 1990s. Between 2007 and 2008, the Elmed company was established under the government of Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali to conduct feasibility studies. The initial model relied on building a power plant in Tunisia, fueled by gas or coal, with approximately two-thirds of its production intended for export to Italy via a unidirectional line.
Project Evolution
After 2011, the project's scheme was modified at the request of international financial institutions. The new setup now provides for a bidirectional interconnection, allowing for electricity exchanges in both directions. This development is presented as a means to improve network flexibility and strengthen the energy security of both countries.
Concerns and Criticisms
Elyes Ben Ammar expressed concerns that this new configuration could lead to increased dependence on the European market. According to him, Tunisia, which lacks a unified electricity market comparable to that of the European Union, could find itself in a position of imbalance in the event of a national production deficit. He also estimates that the share of financing assumed by the Tunisian state remains high compared to the still uncertain economic benefits.
Market and Security Implications
The trade unionist recalled that, in accordance with the 2015 Tunisian law, private electricity producers intended for export are not required to supply the local market, even in times of scarcity. This provision, he argues, could undermine the country's supply security. Ben Ammar also highlighted the absence of a profitability study communicated by the SETG, a project partner. He believes that a comprehensive economic evaluation is necessary to measure the relevance and financial impacts of Elmed, both for the state and consumers.
Promoters' Arguments
Project promoters, on the other hand, emphasize the strategic advantages of Elmed. According to them, this interconnection would strengthen energy integration between Tunisia and Europe, encourage investment in Tunisian renewable energies, and position the country as a future electrical transit hub in the Mediterranean. They believe that this infrastructure could contribute to diversifying the energy mix and ensuring the long-term stability of the national grid.
Energy Transition and National Sovereignty
The Elmed project illustrates the challenges related to Tunisia's energy transition: balancing regional openness with the preservation of national sovereignty. While the government and its international partners see it as a lever for integration and modernization, a part of the trade union sector, represented by Elyes Ben Ammar, calls for more transparency and guarantees regarding the project's actual impact on the country's energy independence.
