Tunisia awards 187 solar licences totalling 287MW in fifth tender round

The Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy has granted 187 new licences to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for solar power generation, with a combined capacity of nearly 287MW, TAP reported on February 19. 

The development is part of the fifth phase of the North African country’s renewable energy tender programme. It aligns with Tunisia’s commitment to expanding clean power generation by empowering the local economic fabric and adhering to a strict timetable for implementing successive technical tender rounds.

Tunisia aims to generate 35% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, focusing on a massive expansion of solar and wind capacity to reduce its energy deficit. The government has accelerated this plan by tendering over 2.3 GW of new projects, including significant solar farms in Kebili and wind projects across various regions.

Industry Minister Fatma Thabet announced the figures during the National Conference on Renewable Energy Projects organised by Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises (CONECT) under the theme Challenges and Proposed Solutions.

Thabet described the number of licences awarded as a record, noting the dynamism of Tunisia’s private sector and its confidence in the country’s strategic direction. She said that the government is counting on effective partnerships with national and international stakeholders to strengthen energy security.

The projects are expected to help narrow Tunisia’s energy deficit through greater reliance on photovoltaic solar power. The newly installed 287 MW of capacity is also projected to generate direct economic and technological momentum for the beneficiary companies, supporting the role of private investment in achieving national energy sovereignty goals.