Tunisia’s energy independence rate stood at 42% at the end of February 2024, compared with 45% at the end of February 2023, according to the monthly report on the energy situation published by the National Observatory of Energy and Mines.
The primary energy balance shows a deficit of 0.83 million tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe) at the end of February 2024, including the fee for the transit of Algerian gas, which is virtually unchanged compared to the end of February 2023.
However, excluding the royalty, the level of energy independence would be limited to 34% at the end of February 2024, compared with 37% at the same time in 2023.
Primary energy resources decreased by 12% to 0.6 Mtoe at the end of February 2024, mainly due to the decline in national natural gas production. Primary energy resources continue to be dominated by domestic oil and gas production, both accounting for 73% of total primary energy resources.
The share of renewable electricity (STEG and private production and autoproduction) remains low, representing only 2% of primary resources. It should be noted that the fee for the transit of Algerian gas decreased by 6% at the end of February 2024 compared to the end of February 2023.
Natural gas demand down by 13
Demand for primary energy also fell by 6%. Demand for natural gas fell by 13% due to restrictions on the purchase of Algerian gas. In order to cope with this downward trend and to cover the entire national demand for electricity, STEG has turned to electricity imports. On the other hand, demand for oil products went up by 2%.
The structure of primary energy demand changed slightly, with the share of demand for oil products rising from 47% at the end of February 2023 to 51% in 2024. Demand for natural gas, on the other hand, fell from 52% to 48%.
Total electricity generation down 7% by end-February 2024
According to the monthly report on the energy situation published by the National Energy and Mining Observatory, total electricity generation fell by 7% to 2,733 GWh (including self-generated renewable energy) at the end of February 2024, compared to 2,942 GWh at the end of February 2023.
Production for the local market fell slightly by 2%.
According to the Observatory, electricity purchases from Algeria and Libya covered 17% of the local market’s needs at the end of February 2024.
It should be noted that STEG still accounts for the lion’s share of electricity production, accounting for 96% of national production in the first two months of the current year.
Natural gas generation down by 9
Electricity generated from natural gas fell by 9%, while electricity generated from renewable sources rose by 5%.
In addition, 227 MW of photovoltaic roofs were installed in the residential sector and 314 permits were issued for a total capacity of 112 MW in the industrial, tertiary and agricultural sectors. Peak electricity demand decreased by 8% to 3,073 MW at the end of February 2024, compared to 3,337 MW at the end of February 2023.
