Renewables
Tunisia targets 16% renewable energy share by 2027
Tunisia plans to develop 1.6 GW of renewable capacity and open major projects to international investors.
Key points
- Tunisia aims for 16% renewables in its power mix by 2027, according to its 2027 Finance Bill.
- Around 1.1 GW will be offered through concessions and licenses, with 500 MW for self-generation.
- Natural gas accounted for 94% of the country's electricity mix in 2025.
What happened
Tunisia has outlined plans to expand its renewable energy capacity to 1.6 GW as part of a strategy to raise clean energy's share in the national power mix to 16% by 2027. According to the 2027 Finance Bill reported by Enerdata, approximately 1.1 GW of this new capacity will be made available to international investors via licensing and concession frameworks.
The remaining 500 MW is designated for self-generation initiatives. Specific developments under the concession scheme include a 198 MW project at Khnabna, a 77 MW wind park, and a 300 MW solar plant equipped with battery storage in Bazma, located in the southern governorate of Kebili.
Data from Enerdata indicates that renewables constituted 5% of Tunisia's electricity generation in 2025, split between 4% solar and 1% wind. Natural gas continued to dominate the sector, providing 94% of the electricity mix. Longer-term targets under the country's energy strategy seek to elevate renewables to 35% by 2030 and 50% by 2035. Meanwhile, electricity imports dropped by 21% to 2.2 TWh in 2025, primarily originating from Algeria, while exports remained low at 0.1 TWh.
Why it matters
Tunisia's push to attract international capital for gigawatt-scale renewable projects highlights a broader North African trend of diversifying power generation away from dominant fossil fuels. With World Bank figures showing universal access to electricity in Tunisia alongside per capita consumption of 1570.2 kWh in 2024, scaling up intermittent renewables while managing base-load requirements remains a critical test for regional grid stability.
For energy investors and policymakers across the continent, Tunisia's structured reliance on concession schemes and self-generation quotas offers a practical template for mobilising private finance. As North African nations navigate domestic gas constraints and shifting import-export balances, successful execution of these upcoming solar and wind developments will provide important lessons for scaling clean infrastructure across emerging markets.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
2.8% of electricity in Tunisia was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
