Tunisia greenlights 309 projects, more than doubling its initial 200 MW target as investor interest surges in the country’s solar sector.
Tunisia’s Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy has officially announced the results of the sixth round of its solar PV authorization scheme, approving 309 renewable energy projects with a total combined capacity of 455 MW – far exceeding the 200 MW initially sought in what proved to be a heavily oversubscribed tender.
The approved projects include 187 installations of 1 MW each, 119 projects of 2 MW capacity, and three larger developments of 10 MW. All selected independent power producers (IPPs) will enter into long-term power purchase agreements with state-owned utility Société tunisienne de l’électricité et du gaz (STEG), which will serve as the sole off-taker for the electricity generated.
Competitive Tariffs Across Project Sizes
The pre-tax feed-in tariffs vary according to installed capacity, with smaller plants commanding higher rates to reflect economies of scale. Projects up to 1 MW will receive TND 0.217/kWh (approximately $0.074/kWh), while those up to 2 MW are priced at TND 0.201/kWh ($0.069/kWh). Larger developments ranging from 2 MW to 10 MW will secure tariffs of TND 0.142/kWh ($0.049/kWh).
A Multi-Track Approach to Renewable Growth
The authorization scheme represents one of three regulatory pillars governing private renewable energy generation in Tunisia. It operates alongside the concession framework for utility-scale projects and the self-consumption regime for smaller installations. Specifically designed to accommodate small and medium-sized enterprises, landowners, and individual investors, the program supports solar projects up to 10 MW, wind farms up to 30 MW, biomass facilities up to 15 MW, and other renewable sources up to 5 MW.
Building on Previous Momentum
This latest round builds on the success of the fifth authorization cycle, which granted 186 preliminary approvals for solar projects totalling approximately 288 MW. Tunisia’s steady expansion of its renewable energy pipeline underscores the country’s commitment to diversifying its energy mix and reducing dependence on fossil fuels, while leveraging its abundant solar resources to meet rising domestic electricity demand.
With the North African region increasingly emerging as a renewable energy hotspot, Tunisia’s streamlined authorization framework and guaranteed STEG off-take agreements continue to attract strong private-sector participation in the nation’s energy transition.
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