The government of Tunisia has hired a consortium of external partners to support a major renewable energy transformation. Siemens is one of the program’s main partners, with subsidiary Siemens Advanta in the lead for the transformation consulting side of the mandate.
The Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (known as STEG) is responsible for the transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas to all corners of the country.
As part of the country’s plans to ramp up renewable energy (around 6% of national energy production is filled by renewable sources), a major roadmap was recently launched by the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy to modernize the power infrastructure and incentivize more renewable energy production and consumption.
One of the key initiatives is the ‘Smart Grid’ project, which aims to create a better integration of renewable energy into the power network. Among the main components of the upgrade are: improving infrastructure assets, rolling out smart grids that help balance power supply with demand, and enhancing financial payment flows through a modern billing system.
Smart grids are power networks that use computer technology to adjust the flow of electricity between suppliers and consumers. By collecting information on the state of the network, smart grids contribute to a better balance between production, distribution and consumption. Smart grids also allow for monitoring of asset quality, which enhances maintenance and repair operations.
The program is structured in two phases. The first phase (2022-2025) will see the deployment of a smart grid network in a pilot region consisting of three areas: Sfax city and Kerkennah, Sousse city and Sidi Bouzid, Le Kram and Beja.
The second phase (2026-2030) will then push for out across the most populous areas of Tunisia, including capital city Tunis.
Neila Nouira Gongi, Tunisia’s Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, said that the project is one of the most strategic in the country’s energy landscape. “This project, which is part of Tunisia’s energy transition ambition, will encourage better integration of renewable energy in the power generation system, boost the productivity of the power network, and help STEG lower its debts.”
Siemens Advanta, the management consulting business of Siemens, will lead Siemens’ more strategic and design work, including topics such as business case development, use case concepting, defining the process blueprint, prototyping and business-technology alignment. The firm will also play a role in the implementation phase across project and change management.
