Electricity in Tunisia in 2024
In 2024, Tunisia's electricity consumption predominantly relies on fossil fuels, which account for more than 85% of the total electricity mix, with gas alone contributing close to 85%. In stark contrast, low-carbon energy sources constitute a small fraction, supplying just over 3.5% of the country’s electricity, with solar and wind energy contributing around 2.1% and 1.4% respectively. Additionally, a noteworthy portion, almost 11%, of Tunisia's electricity is covered by net imports. This predominant reliance on fossil energy is concerning due to the associated negative impacts, such as climate change and air pollution, underlining the urgent need for a shift towards more sustainable energy sources.
Is Electricity Growing in Tunisia?
Tunisia currently faces a downtrend in electricity consumption, with the latest figure at approximately 1912 kWh per person, a decrease from the 2022 figure of 1979 kWh per person. This decline of 66 kWh per person marks a troubling reduction in electricity usage, indicating possible constraints in the supply or shifts in demand within the country. Furthermore, the generation of low-carbon electricity has shown a slight decrease as well, now at 68 kWh per person, down from the 2023 record of 69 kWh per person. This stagnation in the production of clean electricity signals a potential missed opportunity for Tunisia to commit to a more sustainable future, highlighting the pressing necessity for strategic advancements in this area to meet future electricity demands.
Suggestions
To catalyze an increase in low-carbon electricity generation, Tunisia can learn from countries like Lebanon and Greece, which have achieved considerable success with solar energy contributing 31% and 21% to their electricity mix, respectively. By investing more aggressively in solar infrastructure, Tunisia can leverage its abundant sunshine, akin to these Mediterranean neighbors, for a substantial increase in solar energy production. Furthermore, exploring nuclear energy can provide a reliable, carbon-free backbone for Tunisia's electricity needs, as exemplified by France, where nuclear power constitutes 68% of its electricity mix. Such shifts could dramatically enhance Tunisia's energy independence and security while contributing significantly to global climate goals by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
History
Historically, Tunisia's journey in low-carbon electricity generation has been somewhat intermittent. The late 1980s and early 1990s saw small contributions from hydro power, which were consistent until the early 2000s, followed by a reduction in 2006. The introduction of wind energy began in 2009 and experienced moderate gains until 2015, when a decline was observed. Solar energy appeared in the mix much later, but the progression has been progressive, particularly from 2021 onward, with small yet consistent annual increases. The challenge remains for Tunisia to not only stabilize but to expand these initiatives, ensuring a steady, robust growth in low-carbon electricity production to secure a sustainable and prosperous energy future.
Electrification
We estimate the degree of electrification by comparing electricity and total energy emissions. More about methodology.