The Federal Environment Ministry supports Tunisia in the political and technological implementation of its plans to use solar energy. Tunisia's Solar Plan aims to increase the share of renewable energies in the Tunisian energy mix by around 16 percent by 2020 and by 30 percent by 2030. Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks pledged 9.8 million euros to the project over the next four years from the funds of her ministry's international climate funding. This is the first tranche of a long-term pledge for support adding up to a total of 112 million euros of loans and funding.
The use of solar energy for electricity generation in Tunisia has great potential for expansion due to the country's high solar radiation. The Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW) will sign a loan agreement on behalf of the BMUB with the Tunisian utility company STEG (Société Tunisienne de l'Electricité et du Gaz) for an initial amount of 12 million euros, which will help to fund the construction of innovative power plants. The technological support for the Tunisian Solar Plan will be supplemented with administrative and legislative assistance and guidance on energy and low-emission strategies. Fo a period of four years, the BMUB has commissioned the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) to assist Tunisia with its Solar Plan.
Federal Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks explained: "Transforming Tunisia's energy system will support its economic and social development. It will also provide the opportunity to reduce Tunisia's dependence on fossil fuels and energy imports. The expansion of renewable energies has shown that economy and environmental protection are equally important for a sustainable development."
The first project is the construction of a photovoltaic facility with a maximum output of 10 megawatt near the city of Tozeur. Other innovative demonstration projects are planned to follow in the areas of wind power, storage technology and energy efficiency. The facility will be a role model for environmental cooperation with Tunisia and its neighbours. Germany is one of Tunisia's most important partners in transforming the country's energy sector and, in addition to development loans, provides economic and political know-how as well as innovative technologies.