Energy Transition: A Crucial Step for Tunisia's Future
Sadok Guellouz, a lecturer in energy engineering at the National School of Engineers in Bizerte, emphasized on RTCI the vital importance of scientific research and higher education in achieving a successful energy transition. According to him, this transition, which is crucial for Tunisia and the world, affects the economy, environment, and daily life of citizens.
Definition of Energy Transition
Guellouz defines energy transition as the shift from a system based on fossil fuels to a model relying on renewable and sustainable energies. This change, which has become an environmental, economic, and social urgency, aims to reduce CO₂ emissions responsible for global warming. If no action is taken, Tunisia could lose 250 km² of coastline by 2100 and continue to suffer from an aggravated energy deficit, as it imports more than 60% of its energy, heavily weighing on its trade balance. This dependence, largely on Algerian gas, threatens the country's energy security and competitiveness, especially since Europe is now introducing a carbon tax on imported products.
A Multifaceted Transition
For Guellouz, energy transition is not just a technological shift, but also a cultural and societal one, requiring a global change in behaviors and production modes. He identifies five essential foundations:
- Mastering energy
- Achieving energy self-sufficiency
- Massively using renewable energies
- Electrifying uses
- Developing green hydrogen for non-electrifiable sectors These levers will enable reducing energy dependence, creating jobs, and strengthening economic sustainability.
The Role of Higher Education
Higher education plays a key role in this transformation. Training engineers who can integrate the energy dimension into all disciplines is essential. University programs must evolve, include internships in companies, and strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and the industrial fabric. Research, on the other hand, focuses on two axes:
- Technological development to improve equipment and material efficiency
- Modeling complex energy systems, necessary to optimize economic and environmental choices
A Call to Action
Sadok Guellouz concludes by affirming that energy transition is a path to a sustainable future and a career opportunity for young engineers. He calls on employers to offer conditions conducive to innovation and engagement in this strategic sector, reminding that participating in this transition means working for both national prosperity and the preservation of the planet.
