Tunisia, represented by a delegation from the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy led by the Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Wael Chouchane, is taking part in the Africa Energy Forum being held in Barcelona (Spain) from June 25 to 28.
The 26th edition of the Forum themed “Energy Systems of the Future – Balancing Africa’s Needs with Global Goals” and is attended by officials and companies working in the energy and renewable energy sectors.
“Tunisia is keen to implement energy transition programmes to develop the use of renewable energy, promote energy efficiency and electrical connectivity, and integrate modern technologies in all sectors of the economy,” said Chouchane while chairing a seminar dedicated to Tunisia to highlight renewable energy projects.
He presented the National Energy Strategy for 2035, which aims to reduce the energy deficit, generate 35 per cent of electricity from renewable sources, reduce primary energy demand by 30 per cent and carbon and greenhouse gas emissions by 45 per cent by 2030.
On the opening day of the Forum, the Secretary of State took part in a round table with a number of ministers from African countries to discuss the prospects for strengthening cooperation between African countries to support investment and energy infrastructure.
For his part, Belhassen Chiboub, Director General of Electricity and Energy Transition, gave a presentation on the various systems for producing electricity from renewable sources, such as the self-production system, licences and obligations.
Chiboub reviewed the main features of the national green hydrogen strategy, which aims to produce 8.3 million tonnes by 2050, including 2.3 million tonnes for the local market and 6 million tonnes for export.
The Secretary of State also held a series of bilateral meetings with a number of participating institutions and organisations, such as officials from the French renewable energy company Voltalia, led by the company’s General Manager, Sébastien Clerc.
The meeting discussed the follow-up of the 100 MW solar photovoltaic power generation project in Gafsa, which is scheduled to start work in 2025 and become operational in 2026.
houchane also met Mourad Ajal, CEO of Sonelgaz, the Algerian electricity and gas company.
The two parties expressed the depth of the historic relations of friendship and partnership between the two countries and the continued support for bilateral cooperation between the two sides, particularly in the field of electricity exchanges.
In a meeting with officials from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), he discussed prospects for joint cooperation to further boost investment in the renewable energy sector, and with a delegation from GE Vernova, ways to develop relations.
In a meeting with Fabienne Demol, Vice President of TotalEnergies Renewables, the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the field of renewable energies and the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives were discussed.
