TotalEnergies Launches a Tunisia solar farm of 50 MW in Kairouan
TotalEnergies, in a significant move to bolster renewable energy in North Africa, has officially launched its first utility-scale solar project in Tunisia. The 50-megawatt peak (MWp) solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant, located in the Kairouan Governorate, marks a key milestone in Tunisia’s transition towards a cleaner and more sustainable energy future.
This landmark project, developed in partnership with the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG), underscores a powerful collaboration between public and private sectors to achieve national energy goals.
Project Details and Impact of the Tunisia solar farm
Spanning approximately 100 hectares in central Tunisia, the Kairouan solar farm is a feat of modern engineering and a testament to the region’s renewable potential.
The facility is designed for maximum efficiency, utilizing over 110,000 bifacial solar modules mounted on single-axis trackers. This advanced technology allows the panels to capture sunlight from both sides while tracking the sun’s path across the sky, boosting energy production by up to 20% compared to traditional fixed-tilt installations.
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The plant is set to generate around 88 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity annually, which is enough to power approximately 20,000 Tunisian homes. This substantial output will be integrated directly into Tunisia’s national grid, enhancing the country’s energy security and reducing its heavy reliance on natural gas, which previously accounted for over 95% of its electricity mix.
Environmental and Economic Contributions of the Tunisia solar farm
The environmental benefits of the Kairouan solar farm are profound. By displacing fossil fuel-based power generation, the project is expected to prevent the emission of around 55,000 tons of carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚) each year. This directly supports Tunisia’s National Energy Strategy, which aims to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 35% by 2030 and advance its net-zero ambitions.
Beyond its environmental impact, the project has provided a significant economic boost to the local community. The construction phase created over 300 jobs, and the plant will continue to support local employment through ongoing operations and maintenance. Furthermore, the initiative includes community development programs, such as specialized training in solar maintenance, fostering a skilled local workforce for the growing renewables sector.
A Strategic Step for TotalEnergies and the Tunisia solar farm
For TotalEnergies, the Kairouan project is a strategic entry into Tunisia’s utility-scale solar market and a key addition to its expanding North African renewables portfolio, which now exceeds 1 GW. This development aligns with the company’s ambitious global target of reaching 100 GW of renewable generation capacity by 2030.
For Tunisia, a country blessed with high solar irradiance, this project exemplifies the path forward. It leverages a key natural resource to build a more resilient and independent energy system. The project’s success, supported by financing from institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), is driven by a favorable policy environment, including Tunisia’s renewable auction framework, and the dramatic decrease in solar PV costs, which have fallen by nearly 89% since 2010 according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The commissioning of the Kairouan solar farm is more than just the launch of a new power plant; it is a clear signal of the accelerating clean energy transition in the region and a shining example of progress through partnership.
