“The launch of projects in the field of renewable energy can create from 7,000 to 20,000 sustainable jobs for youth in Tunisia by 2030,” said Dr. Isabel Shafer, a professor at the University of Berlin, adding that “renewable energy is an area of technological innovation and of the future in Tunisia, to the extent that it will help stimulate the economy, especially if it is focused on export of green energy.”
Speaking Tuesday in Tunis, at a conference on “clean energy and youth unemployment in the Maghreb,” organized by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Mrs. Shafer noted that energy demand will increase 50% over the next decade, hence the need to diversify energy sources.
In the same context, Mr. Jacob Kolster, Operational Director of the North Africa region at the AfDB, said that “the choice of the theme of renewable energy and youth unemployment targets the solution of two challenges: employment and energy resources, which are faced by Tunisia today. In fact, Tunisian youth unemployment rate now exceeds 35%, which is considerable, “he argued.
In terms of production of green energy, the official said it is within the reach of Tunisia, which has a rate of sunshine exceeding 3,000 hours per year, making it possible to further develop this promising niche.
