Tunisia to launch international tenders for $1bn worth of solar and wind power projects
Release imminent as North African country looks to deploy 1GW of new renewable energy capacity
The Tunisian government is set to launch an international tender for the construction of solar and wind renewable power plants worth $1.03 billion by the end of April 2018, the North African country’s Prime Minister has said.
According to a report by PV Magazine, Youssef Chahed said that the government plans to deploy 1GW of new renewable energy capacity in the country. The first tenders for solar and wind, the publication of which has been set for April 27, will lead to the allocation of 300MW of solar in the states of Gafsa (100MW), Tataouine (100MW), Sidibuzid (50MW) and Tozeur (50MW).
There will also be 300MW of wind in the states of Nabeul (200MW) and Kabli (100MW), the report added.
Chahed added that these projects are expected to boost private sector investments by close to $822 million. Another tender for an additional 200MW of large-scale renewable energy projects, for an estimated total investment of $205 million, is being planned for the Tataouine Governorate, he said.
Furthermore, there are several 10MW solar projects to be set up in Sidi Bouzid, Kairouan, Kasserine and Tatouine areas, along with smaller solar parks of 1MW, the report added.
The administrative procedures for renewable energy projects up to 1MW will be simplified via a few, undivulged, changes to the country’s renewable energy law by the end of this year, Chahed stated, adding that Tunisia aims to install 4.7 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030, as part of its renewable energy strategy.
