Like the rest of the world, Tunisia is facing growing economic, environmental, energy, and water challenges, which require innovative solutions and sustainable strategies to keep pace with global transformations, stated the Director General of the National Agency for Energy Conservation (ANME), Nafaa Baccari.
During his participation in a special program on the circular economy broadcast on Express FM, he explained that the country has already begun developing comprehensive strategies in the energy and environmental fields, specifying that waste recovery can be an effective response to current challenges in these two areas.
He added that transforming waste into economic wealth is now possible by integrating it into the circular economy system, which represents a real opportunity for the energy and ecological transition, while promoting Tunisia’s future energy independence.
National Energy Strategy
Baccari indicated that the national energy strategy is primarily based on solar and wind power, while aiming to diversify energy sources, notably through the use of waste, which accounts for about 20% of global electricity production.
He recalled that ANME had already launched pilot programs for the recovery of biogas from organic waste in the late 1980s.
The Legal Framework in Tunisia
The official specified that the agency’s role is not limited to waste recovery but also extends to implementing national energy transition policies, through the creation of an appropriate legislative framework and the establishment of incentive mechanisms to support projects in this field.
He emphasized that the agency oversees the Energy Transition Fund, which provides funding and support for all transition-related initiatives, including waste recovery projects.
Baccari added that the current Tunisian legal framework is favorable for investment in electricity production from waste, noting that the feed-in tariff for electricity produced from biogas has been set at 307 millimes per kilowatt-hour before tax, and is maintained for the entire duration of the contract, which is double the tariff applied to solar energy.
This mechanism makes the sector particularly attractive for investors, according to him.
He also insisted on the importance of promoting public-private partnerships and attracting more investment in alternative energy projects, stating that Tunisia has strong potential to produce electricity from waste and organic gas, which could make it a key player in the energy transition in the region.
Baccari affirmed that the agency is working to strengthen the legislative framework and increase investment incentives, in cooperation with all national and international partners, while supporting local skilled professionals and the technical supervision of projects, to ensure the success of this strategic and vital direction.
It is worth noting that Tunisia has adopted a new model based on diversifying energy sources, with an increased role for renewable energy.
Similarly, projects have been launched that aim to achieve ambitious sustainability and energy efficiency goals, with the ambition of increasing the share of alternative energy to 35% by 2030.
To achieve this, several measures have already been approved to accelerate the transition.
