Tunisia is planning a 1,600-megawatt renewable energy expansion as electricity shortages expose the risks of its dependence on gas-fired power.

The North African country wants to lift renewables’ share of its electricity mix to 16% in 2027, from 12% in 2026, as it works to strengthen domestic supply.

The plan comes after a difficult summer in which repeated blackouts left electricity demand unmet and sparked public protests.

The disruption has raised the stakes for Tunisia’s energy transition, making the delivery of new generation capacity a pressing supply issue rather than simply a long-term climate ambition.

The programme also opens a substantial pipeline of projects to private developers. Around 1,100 MW will be offered to international investors through concession and licensing schemes, while 500 MW is earmarked for self-generation — a model that could help businesses and other electricity users produce more of their own power.

Solar and wind projects take priority

Three projects account for 575 MW of planned capacity under the concession programme. Tunisia expects a 198 MW renewable energy project at Khnabna and a 77 MW wind farm to enter service.

Construction is also due to begin on a 300 MW solar power plant at Bazma, in the southern governorate of Kebili.

The project will include battery storage, providing a way to manage the variability of solar generation.

Separately, the government plans to offer around 515 MW under the sixth round of its licensing scheme. The finance bill did not disclose further details about the projects included in that round.

A larger test for energy security

Tunisia’s 2027 target is an intermediate step towards generating 35% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.

Reaching that longer-term goal will require projects to move beyond allocations and planned construction into operational capacity.

The immediate challenge is whether the expansion can deliver electricity quickly enough to ease pressure on a system still largely reliant on gas.

The planned capacity signals the scale of the response, but the programme’s impact will depend on implementation and how much new generation becomes available to meet demand.