Electricity in Tunisia in 2024
In 2024, Tunisia's electricity consumption is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with nearly 86% of its electricity generated from these sources. Gas constitutes the vast majority, accounting for about 85% of electricity generation. In contrast, low-carbon or clean energy sources only make up a small portion, with just over 3.5% from solar and wind combined. Solar energy contributes around 2.1%, while wind accounts for approximately 1.4%. Additionally, Tunisia supplements its domestic production with more than 10% imported electricity. The current heavy dependence on fossil fuels poses challenges for reducing carbon emissions and addressing issues such as air pollution and climate change.
Is Electricity Growing in Tunisia?
Electricity consumption per person in Tunisia has seen a decline, with the latest figure for 2024 at 1899 kWh per person, a decrease from the previous record of 1979 kWh per person set in 2022. This decline is concerning, as it suggests stagnation in energy growth, which could impede efforts toward electrification and the adoption of emerging technologies such as AI. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has witnessed a slight decline, from 69 kWh per person in 2023 to 68 kWh in 2024. These decreases underscore the urgency for Tunisia to bolster its electricity production, particularly low-carbon electricity, to meet future energy needs sustainably.
Suggestions
To increase low-carbon electricity generation, Tunisia can take inspiration from successful regions worldwide. For instance, Tunisia could look to Lebanon and Greece, where solar energy accounts for a significant share of electricity—31% and 25%, respectively. This highlights the potential for expanding solar infrastructure in a setting with abundant sunlight. Additionally, adopting nuclear energy, as exemplified by countries like France and Slovakia, where it constitutes 69% and 64% of electricity, respectively, offers a valuable pathway. By integrating more solar and possibly pursuing nuclear options, Tunisia can achieve a cleaner and more sustainable energy future, ensuring reliable electricity supply and minimizing environmental impacts.
History
Looking back, the history of low-carbon electricity in Tunisia shows small but consistent efforts to increase generation, particularly in the expansion of wind and solar. In the early 2000s, hydroelectricity contributed slightly to the low-carbon mix, with minor increases noted over the decades, although some inconsistencies are present, such as in 2006 when hydro generation declined. However, in the 2010s, there was a notable focus on wind energy with incremental rises in 2009, 2012, 2013, and a small setback in 2015. Solar energy efforts have been more recent, with slight developments from 2019 onwards, including a positive upsurge in 2023. Such historical trends indicate an emerging, albeit slow, commitment to growing Tunisia's low-carbon electricity footprint—a trajectory that hopefully will accelerate in the coming years.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.