Tunisia’s electricity consumption in 2025 was overwhelmingly supplied by fossil fuels: gas accounted for almost 99% of the total. Low-carbon electricity supplied only about 1.4%, entirely from wind in the supplied figures. This leaves Tunisia heavily dependent on fossil electricity, with substantial scope to expand clean generation and reduce the climate-changing emissions and air pollution associated with fossil fuels.

Is Electricity Growing in Tunisia?

Electricity consumption per person is below its historical peak, rather than setting new records. In 2025, it stood at about 1,580 kWh per person, roughly 400 kWh—or 20%—below the 2022 record of about 1,980 kWh. Low-carbon electricity generation also fell well short of its peak: just 23 kWh per person, compared with 69 kWh in 2023, a decline of two-thirds. These figures show a worrying retreat from earlier highs, although they do not establish whether total national electricity consumption or consumption compared with 2024 declined. Expanding clean electricity would help meet future demand from electrification and growing digital infrastructure.

Suggestions

Tunisia should prioritize solar expansion, develop more wind generation, and consider nuclear power as a source of dependable low-carbon electricity. Relevant Mediterranean examples include Cyprus and Spain, where solar supplies about 23% of electricity, and Lebanon, where it supplies almost a third. Nearby Morocco generates about a fifth of its electricity from wind, offering a useful regional reference for wind development. For nuclear, Tunisia could learn from France, where it supplies roughly two-thirds of electricity, and the United Arab Emirates, where it supplies a fifth. Clear procurement rules, investment in grids and storage, and long-term workforce and regulatory planning could help Tunisia translate these lessons into sustained clean electricity growth.

History

Tunisia’s recorded low-carbon electricity history shows modest gains followed by periods of stagnation and setbacks. Hydropower increased by 0.1 TWh in each of 1985, 1987, 1991 and 2003, before falling by 0.1 TWh in 2006. Wind began adding generation in 2009, then gained a combined 0.4 TWh during 2012–2014; hydropower also added 0.1 TWh in 2012. Wind subsequently declined by 0.1 TWh in 2015, while neither wind nor hydropower recorded growth in 2019. Solar provided encouraging additions of 0.1 TWh in both 2021 and 2022, followed by 0.2 TWh in 2023. However, wind fell by 0.1 TWh in both 2022 and 2025, underscoring the need for a stronger, sustained expansion of low-carbon electricity.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade