TUNISIA – The Tunisian government has partnered with a number of independent power producers (IPPs) to boost the solar power generation in the country.

The IPPs  will oversee the implementation of a solar power project that will produce 70 MWp of electricity from 16 photovoltaic solar power plants.

According to the government of Tunisia, the objective of this project is to inject 70 MWp into the Tunisian national electricity grid through the construction of 16 new solar power plants in the country.

Africa Energy Portal reported that at least six solar power plants with a capacity of 10 MWp each will be built, as well as 10 installations of 1 MWp.

The 1 MWp facilities, will be built in Ajim Djerba, Sidi Bouzid, Tataouine, Gabès, Kairouan and Médenine.

Among the IPP chosen for the solar energy project is the French company Akuo Energy, which joined forces with HBG Holding and Nour Energy to install a solar farm in Gabes in the south-east of the country.

The government of Tunisia has also chosen a consortium formed by Hatem Mabrouk and Bot Energy to build a solar power plant in Médenine, again in the south-east of Tunisia while Ecodelta was entrusted with the construction of a solar farm in Médenine.

Developed within the framework of public-private partnerships (PPP), the construction of each of the six 10 MWp photovoltaic solar power stations will require an investment of between 18.3 million and 23.7 million Tunisian dinars (between US$6.40 million and US$8.31 million).

As for the 1 MWp solar power plants, the construction of each plant will require an investment of between 2.4 million and 3.4 million Tunisian dinars (between US$0.8 million and US$1.16 million).

The project is part of a broad plan by the government of Tunisia  to exploit its renewable energy potential.

Tunisia also has plans to build a large solar power plant in the governorate of Gafsa with an expected capacity of 120 MWp.

The Gafsa Solar power project is being developed by a consortium formed by the French company Engie and the Moroccan company Nareva.

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