AMEA Power, a renewable energy company based in the UAE, has initiated the construction of the 120 MW Kairouan solar photovoltaic plant in Tunisia.
This initiative, funded by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group and the African Development Bank (ADB), marks a significant advancement in Tunisia’s energy landscape.
The funding for the $86-million utility-scale solar facility in Tunisia’s Kairouan awarded through an international public procurement program comprises $26 million in debt financing from the IFC, and an additional $26 million in debt financing from the AfDB. The financial support will aid in the construction, operation, and maintenance of the project.
The Kairouan solar project consists of 220,416 modules, each with 545W nameplate capacity and aims to generate 222 GWh of clean energy annually, providing power to over 43 000 homes.
The solar plant aims to offset 117,000 tonnes of carbon emissions throughout its lifetime. This plant will significantly reduce Tunisia’s reliance on oil and gas imports and support the government’s goal of achieving 35% renewable energy in the energy mix by 2030.
AMEA Power signed the concession and 20-year power purchase agreements with Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz (STEG) in June 2021, which the Tunisian government ratified in May 2022. Additionally, AMEA Power will collaborate closely with local communities in the Kairouan governorate, reinforcing the company’s commitment to the region’s socio-economic development.
The solar power plant is set to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2025. Once it becomes operational, it will mark AMEA Power’s first active asset in Tunisia, setting the stage for future renewable energy projects in the country.
Hussain Al Nowais, President of AMEA Power, highlighted the project’s significance by stating, “By leveraging its renewable energy resources and strategic location between North Africa and Europe, Tunisia can become a prime location for green energy and trade.”
This project represents more than just an energy development; it symbolizes the future of renewable energy in Tunisia and international cooperation for a more sustainable future.