United Arab Emirates-based multinational independent power producer (IPP), Amea Power, is set to kickstart the development of a 100 MWp solar power project in Kairouan city in northern Tunisia in late 2022.

The IPP has signed a concession agreement with the Tunisian government to develop the project after securing a tender which was issued by the Ministry of Industry and SMEs in 2018 under efforts by the north African country to expand its portfolio of renewables for energy security and decarbonization in line with targets set under the country’s Vision 2030.

Commenting on the impact the project will have in helping Tunisia to diversify its energy mix, Hussain Al Nowais, President of Amea Power, said, “This is a great step for Tunisia and Amea Power. As part of the government’s Vision 2030 for new energies, Tunisia aims to increase the share of renewable energy in its energy mix to 30% by 2030, which corresponds to an additional installed capacity of about 4 GW.” 

Amea Power will develop the 100 MWp solar plant in partnership with Chinese company Xinjiang New Energy. Once completed, the project will produce approximately 250,490 GWh per annum which will be integrated into the grid network that is operated by state-utility Société tunisienne d’électricité et du gaz (STEG) as part of a 20-year power purchase agreement signed with the energy firm. The solar power project is expected to help Tunisia avoid the emissions of 247,000 metric tons of carbon emissions per annum.