Tunisia has activated its largest solar power plant to date. AMEA Power, a Dubai-based renewable energy developer, announced the commercial operation of its 120-megawatt peak (MWp) photovoltaic plant in the Kairouan Governorate on Wednesday.
The inauguration ceremony drew high-ranking officials, underscoring the project’s national importance. Attendees included Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy Fatma Thabet Chiboub, STEG CEO Faical Tarifa, Kairouan Governor Dhakar Bargaoui, Secretary of State for Energy Transition Wael Chouchene, and AMEA Power Chairman Hussain Al Nowais.
A Project of Record-Setting Firsts
The facility is not merely the country’s biggest solar installation; it establishes multiple technical and regulatory precedents for Tunisia’s energy sector. It is the nation’s:
- First renewable energy project with an installed capacity exceeding 100 MWp.
- First renewable project under the concessions regime to achieve both financial close and commercial operation.
- First with an integrated substation using a specific loop-in/loop-out configuration.
- First to inject power directly into STEG’s high-voltage 225 kV transmission network.
These milestones position the Kairouan plant as a foundational component of Tunisia’s medium-term energy strategy, aimed at boosting energy independence and accelerating the transition to low-carbon electricity.
Powering Homes, Cutting Emissions
The plant is projected to generate approximately 222 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually—enough to power an estimated 43,000 Tunisian households. Its operation is expected to displace around 117,000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year, supporting the country’s climate goals.
Financing for the landmark project was led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB).
A Model for Future Development
In a statement, AMEA Power Chairman Hussain Al Nowais highlighted the project’s pioneering role: “This plant strengthens Tunisia’s energy security by delivering clean and reliable electricity. As the first of its kind under the concession regime and on the high-voltage grid, it sets a benchmark for future renewable development in the country.”
The plant’s commissioning, following a groundbreaking in 2024, reinforces AMEA Power’s profile as a major player in delivering utility-scale renewable projects in the region. The company, with a portfolio spanning 20 countries and a pipeline exceeding 6 gigawatts, continues to expand its investments in solar, wind, and energy storage technologies across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.
TunisianMonitorOnline (BRC)
