In 2025, Tunisia's electricity consumption is overwhelmingly reliant on fossil energy, with gas alone comprising more than 98% of the total. This leaves low-carbon energy sources, such as wind and other green technologies, contributing just over 1% to the nation's electricity mix. Unfortunately, wind power accounts for the entirety of this small percentage, and there are no contributions from solar or nuclear energy. This stark imbalance highlights a significant dependency on fossil fuels, emphasizing the urgent need for Tunisia to diversify its electricity sources. Increasing the share of clean energy can help mitigate adverse climate effects and reduce pollution caused by fossil fuel consumption.

Is Electricity Growing in Tunisia?

Regarding electricity consumption trends in Tunisia, the latest figures from 2025 indicate a significant reduction in electricity use compared to previous years. The current consumption stands at approximately 1581 kWh per person, representing a decline from the 2022 record of 1979 kWh per person. This decrease translates to a drop of nearly 400 kWh per person. Furthermore, the generation of low-carbon electricity has seen an even more pronounced decline, with just 23 kWh per person in 2025 compared to a previous high of 69 kWh per person in 2023, marking a fall of around 46 kWh per person. This downward trend in electricity consumption is cause for concern, especially given the necessity for increased clean electricity to support Tunisia's sustainable growth and environmental objectives.

Suggestions

To significantly increase the share of low-carbon electricity, Tunisia should consider expanding its solar and nuclear energy capacities, drawing lessons from successful regions around the globe. For example, France and Slovakia have achieved substantial reliance on nuclear power, with more than 65% of their electricity coming from this clean energy source. On the wind energy front, Denmark and Iowa serve as models, generating over 57% of their electricity from wind power. Additionally, countries with a focus on solar power, such as Cyprus and Chile, have made notable strides with solar contributing over 23% of their electricity in some cases. Tunisia, with its abundant sunlight, could rapidly improve its low-carbon electricity share by prioritizing investments in solar infrastructure while exploring nuclear options for a stable and sustainable electricity future.

History

Examining the historical context of low-carbon electricity generation in Tunisia reveals sporadic advances, mainly in wind and hydroelectric power. Starting from the mid-1980s to the early 2000s, Tunisia made minor gains in hydroelectric generation. Then, in the late 2000s and early 2010s, wind energy saw a modest rise, although this progress was offset by occasional declines. More recently, in the early 2020s, some progress was made with solar energy, showing incremental additions in capacity each year. However, the frequent fluctuations and declines, especially in wind power, highlight the inconsistency within Tunisia's low-carbon strategy over the decades. This calls for a more robust and consistent approach to adopting sustainable electricity solutions, focusing on the stable expansion of nuclear and solar capacities.

Electricity Imports and Exports

Balance of Trade