Meeting Highlights the Urgent Need to Accelerate Strategic Energy Projects in Tunisia
A meeting organized on Tuesday by the Commission for Development Plans and Major Projects of the National Council of Regions and Districts (CNRD) put the spotlight on the necessity of speeding up the implementation of structuring and priority energy projects to address the challenges facing the national energy system.
Focus of the Session
The session, dedicated to reviewing “Energy Transition, Concessions, and the 2026‑2030 Development Plan,” was attended by:
- Wael Chouchane, State Secretary in charge of Energy Transition under the Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy
- Senior officials from the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy
- Representatives of the relevant institutions
Growing Energy Deficit
Chouchane reminded participants that Tunisia’s energy deficit has worsened markedly, reaching approximately 6.3 million tonnes of oil equivalent (Mtep) in 2025—about 65 % of the country’s total energy needs, according to a CNRD press release.
The shortfall is driven primarily by:
- A decline in domestic production
- Rising natural‑gas prices
These factors have pushed the energy‑subsidy budget to very high levels, close to 9 % of the state budget.
Energy Transition as a Growth Lever
Chouchane emphasized that energy transition is a key lever for supporting economic growth and cutting carbon emissions. The roadmap for 2026‑2030 rests on two pillars:
- Accelerating renewable‑energy projects
- Strengthening energy‑efficiency programmes
Both are seen as having strong untapped potential for the Tunisian economy.
Concessions Boost Investment and Jobs
The Secretary of State also highlighted the role of the concession system in attracting investment to the energy sector. He noted that this mechanism created roughly 300 permanent jobs in 2023.
Spotlight on the ELMED Project
Chouchane reviewed the ELMED project, which is projected to have a capacity of about 600 MW at an estimated cost of €840 million. He argued that the project could:
- Reinforce Tunisia’s electricity generation capacity
- Open new export opportunities, especially toward the European market
Energy‑Efficiency Programs Remain a Pillar
Finally, Chouchane revisited the main energy‑efficiency programmes, stressing that they are fundamental for:
- Limiting overall energy demand
- Reducing production costs
- Alleviating pressure on the state budget
Keywords: Tunisia energy deficit, energy transition, renewable energy projects, energy efficiency programmes, ELMED project, concessions, job creation, 2026‑2030 development plan, CNRD.
