Electricity in Tunisia in 2024
In 2024, Tunisia's electricity consumption is predominantly reliant on fossil fuels, with more than 85% coming from such sources, and a vast majority of that being attributed to gas at nearly 85%. The remaining portion of electricity needs is met primarily through net imports, contributing close to 11% of the consumption. This leaves a small fraction for low-carbon sources, which together account for just under 4%. Within the sphere of clean energy, solar power contributes about 2%, while wind energy accounts for approximately 1.4%. The stark contrast between the dominance of fossil energy and the minimal presence of low-carbon sources presents both a challenge and an opportunity for Tunisia to transition towards a cleaner energy mix.
Data sources used on this page include EIA, Ember and IEA. More about data sources →
Is Electricity Growing in Tunisia?
Analyzing Tunisia’s electricity consumption and production trends reveals concerning signs about its growth trajectory. The latest available data indicates electricity consumption standing at 1899 kWh/person, marking a decline from the 2022 record, which was 1979 kWh/person. This downturn equates to a reduction of 79 kWh/person. Similarly, low-carbon electricity generation has also experienced a slight dip, from 69 kWh/person in 2023 to 68 kWh/person currently. Such indicators suggest that, contrary to growth expectations, Tunisia's electricity consumption is experiencing a slight contraction, especially in the crucial area of clean energy expansion.
Suggestions
To significantly enhance low-carbon electricity generation, Tunisia can draw lessons from countries and regions that have successfully embraced clean energy technologies. Looking to solar power, Tunisia could learn from states like Nevada and followed by countries such as Chile and Greece where solar provides significant proportions of electricity—33%, 24%, and 23%, respectively. On the wind front, regions such as Uruguay with 33% and Lithuania with 30% of electricity from wind offer valuable models. Furthermore, the expansion of nuclear energy, which provides substantial low-carbon electricity in countries like France (70%) and Slovakia (66%), should also be considered as a strategic option to bolster Tunisia's clean energy capacity. These steps would not only alleviate reliance on fossil fuels but also spark a much-needed shift towards a sustainable, low-carbon future.
History
Historically, Tunisia's journey with low-carbon electricity began with modest developments in hydroelectric power from the mid-1980s, with occasional small increases in output. Notably, from the late 2000s to the early 2010s, wind energy started to take root alongside, albeit with some fluctuations. The implementation of solar energy began in earnest around 2021 and saw somewhat continuous though incremental growth. However, the past decade hasn't shown the substantial low-carbon advancements needed to compete against rising fossil fuel consumption. By expanding its focus on nuclear and solar energy, Tunisia can harness reliable and sustainable electricity sources to help meet future demands in a changing energy landscape.
