Mediterranean Energy Players Gather at KEY – The Energy Transition Expo to Boost Regional Cooperation
From March 4‑7, 2026, stakeholders from the Mediterranean energy sector convened at the KEY – The Energy Transition Expo, an international exhibition organized by Italian Exhibition Group (IEG). The event aimed to accelerate the energy transition and strengthen technological and industrial partnerships between the countries on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Strategic Tunisia‑Italy Cooperation
In this context, cooperation between Tunisia and Italy emerges as a strategic lever, especially through electric interconnection projects and the development of renewable energy sources.
In an interview with the TAP news agency, Marco Carniello, Chief Business Officer of Italian Exhibition Group, emphasized that the expo is far more than a conventional trade fair.
“KEY Energy is designed as a platform that brings together technology suppliers, companies, public decision‑makers, and investors to identify the best solutions for speeding up decarbonisation and transforming energy systems,” he said.
“The goal is to gather Mediterranean countries around the same table to discuss how to accelerate the energy transition.”
A Significant Opportunity for Tunisia and North Africa
For Tunisian and North‑African companies present at the show, the opportunities are abundant. Carniello highlighted the region’s strong solar and wind potential.
He noted that the challenge is no longer about developing individual technologies, but about integrating them. Solutions that combine renewable generation, storage, and energy‑management software are now the key to fast‑tracking the transition.
“Solar and wind technologies are now mature worldwide. The real challenge is to integrate them efficiently with storage systems and energy‑management platforms,” he explained.
When asked which technologies attract the most investor interest, Carniello said the focus is relatively balanced across several solutions:
- Solar and wind are already widely deployed and continue to draw investment.
- Energy‑management systems are also in high demand.
- Hydrogen remains in the early industrial deployment phase, yet it is viewed as a strategic pillar for the future.
The Mediterranean’s Central Role in the Global Energy Transition
In the medium and long term, the Mediterranean region could become a central hub for the worldwide energy transition. Tunisia, in particular, benefits from high solar irradiance and considerable wind resources.
Consequently, Tunisia‑Italy energy cooperation is expected to deepen, notably through the ELMED electric interconnection project, currently under development between the two nations.
“ELMED is a strong signal that Mediterranean countries can launch more ambitious joint initiatives to ensure energy security and foster innovation,” said Carniello.
Energy Security as a Driving Force
Carniello also stressed that the energy transition is no longer solely an environmental issue.
“It is now tightly linked to stability and energy security, especially in today’s international context,” he affirmed.
He concluded by urging investors and innovators from Tunisia and North Africa to seize the opportunities presented by this sectoral transformation and to reinforce regional cooperation initiatives.
“The objective is clear: guarantee energy security, strengthen stability, and contribute to environmental protection across the Mediterranean,” he added.
