Tunisia Seeks to Reduce Energy Dependence Amid Growing Concerns

Conscious of the importance of the energy issue, our country has set specific objectives by 2030: reduce energy dependence, which continues to weigh on our public finances, to 25%, lower carbon intensity by 45%, and reach around 35% of renewable energies in the electricity mix.

A ambitious program that should be based on adequate financing. The latest estimates put a global envelope of $55 billion, covering "not only energy but also other projects, including climate adaptation or soil restoration." It is a significant amount that would require a dynamic and well-engaged private sector and sustained international mobilization.

The Situation is Far from Comfortable

It is undeniable that the national energy situation is far from comfortable. Our fears of increasing pressure on public finances are confirmed.

The latest indicators show that the energy dependence rate has reached 66% at the end of the first quarter of 2026, with over 1.5 million tons of oil equivalent (tep) compared to 61% a year earlier.

A situation at risk that is largely justified by a production that is gripped by a downward trend with an 8% decline compared to 2025, covering only around 28% of national needs, a transition that is almost at a standstill, and a strong dependence on international markets.

A Trajectory of Increasing Dependence

What is worrying, beyond these indicators, is the upward trajectory of this dependence, which was only 42% in 2021. In 2022 and 2023, the rates were respectively 52% and 57%. A fairly accelerated pace that reveals the structural failures of our energy sector.

And the prospects do not seem more encouraging, especially with an inefficient production system and a policy of exploitation and exploration that is slowing down.

Prioritizing Photovoltaics

In the face of such complexity, which risks taking even more serious proportions in the event of an eventual expansion of geopolitical disturbances, Tunisia is forced to act quickly to find the necessary solution and hope to alleviate the pressure on the energy sector.

Indeed, our country, which has set strategic objectives to reduce energy dependence to 25% by 2030, the primary energy consumption level to 30%, lower carbon intensity by 54%, and increase the share of renewable energies in the electricity mix to 35%, must have the means to achieve its ambitions.

At this stage, our country relies on several strategic levers. It is mainly about accelerating the solar plan, with a priority on photovoltaics and wind power. In fact, in addition to the various achievements already made, the Head of State has recently ratified several laws related to solar power plant projects in several regions, which gives full measure to this strategic orientation.

To properly conduct these programs, a particular interest has been given to the reinforcement of the contribution of the private sector in the national effort, through the dynamization of public-private partnerships, the orientation towards industrial and residential self-consumption, and the guarantee of a good level of green technologies, especially since Tunisia plans to create 70,000 green jobs in the sector.

Ambitious projections that require, however, adequate financing. We are talking about a global amount of $55 billion between 2026 and 2035.