STEG activates a new 225/33 kV substation in Bouargoub to boost high-voltage transmission, yet rolling power cuts persist as peak demand hits 5,000 MW amid a shifting energy mix.
Tunisia’s state power utility, STEG, has officially brought a new high-voltage substation online in the Nabeul governorate, a $16 million infrastructure push aimed at shoring up the country’s overtaxed electricity network—yet the inauguration coincides with fresh warnings of rolling blackouts.
A $16 Million Boost for Transmission
Inaugurated on Friday, August 21, the Bouargoub facility represents a 47 million Tunisian dinar investment designed to fortify the region’s high-voltage transmission framework. The 225/33 kV substation strategically interconnects Bouargoub with the existing hubs at Bouficha, Grombalia, and Jebel Ressas via overhead transmission lines spanning 9.6 km, 10.5 km, and 24.7 km, respectively.
Completed in just 18 months, the new installation is equipped with two 40 MW transformers and 27 medium-voltage switchgear units. While STEG has detailed the technical specifications, the utility has not disclosed the financing arrangements for the project.
Grid Under Pressure
The operational launch comes at a critical juncture for Tunisia’s power sector. Just three days post-inauguration, on Monday, August 24, STEG cautioned consumers of potential rotating outages between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m., as the operator scrambles to balance the grid amid sharp consumption spikes.
Extreme summer temperatures have driven peak electricity usage to record highs. In mid-July, STEG Chief Executive Fayçal Trifa told TAP news agency that national demand had surged to 5,000 MW during peak hours, highlighting the severe strain on existing infrastructure despite recent upgrades.
Shifting Energy Dynamics
The persistent outages underscore the fragility of Tunisia’s evolving energy mix. According to data from the National Observatory of Energy and Mines, renewables accounted for just 9% of electricity generation by the end of May 2026. To bridge the deficit, electricity imports met a parallel 9% of total demand, emphasizing the country’s continued reliance on external sources and fossil fuels to keep the lights on.
As STEG pushes forward with grid reinforcement projects, the Bouargoub substation represents a vital, albeit incremental, step in modernizing transmission capacity against a backdrop of soaring demand and transitional energy policies.
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