Construction of Tunisia’s Kairouan solar project is progressing rapidly, surpassing 82% completion as of September 2025. Senior officials, including Secretary of State for Energy Transition Ouael Chouchene, STEG CEO Tarifa Faycel, Kairouan Governor Dhaker Barguaoui, and Almud Weitz from the World Bank Group, recently visited the site to monitor progress.
The 120 MWp facility, located in Metbassta within Kairouan governorate, is set to start commercial operations before the end of the year. Developed by AMEA Power under a Build-Own-Operate model, it represents Tunisia’s first privately financed solar plant to reach financial close under the concession regime.
With an $86 million investment supported by the International Finance Corporation and the African Development Bank, the project marks a pivotal step in Tunisia’s transition toward renewable energy. Once operational, the solar farm will produce an estimated 222 GWh of electricity annually, powering over 43,000 households and cutting around 117,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
The 200-hectare site houses more than 220,000 solar modules and 16 inverters, with all output contracted to the Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz (STEG) under a 20-year power purchase agreement.
The Kairouan project forms part of Tunisia’s broader plan to deploy five large-scale solar plants totaling 500 MW across regions like Tataouine, Gafsa, Tozeur, and Sidi Bouzid. Together, these projects aim to strengthen the national grid, diversify energy sources, and position Tunisia as a regional hub for clean energy.
As construction nears completion, the Kairouan solar plant stands as a landmark achievement in the country’s energy transition, showcasing innovation, resilience, and a firm commitment to sustainable growth.
source: pumps-africa.com
African Energy Council