IRENA-可再生能源准备评估：突尼斯共和国（英文）-2021.6-68页_5mb

Renewable Readiness Assessment: The Republic of Tunisia

Core Content

The Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) for Tunisia, published by IRENA in 2021, evaluates the country's progress in renewable energy development and outlines recommendations for enhancing its renewable energy transition. The report was prepared in collaboration with the Government of Tunisia, represented by the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mines (MIEM) and the National Agency for Energy Conservation (ANME).

Tunisia has been actively pursuing a clean energy transition for over three decades, driven by the need for energy security, economic competitiveness, and sustainable development. The country's energy strategy is anchored on a 30/30 target for 2030: a 30% reduction in primary energy demand and a 30% share of renewables in electricity production. This is part of a broader low-carbon economy vision and Strategic Development Plan (SDP), which outlines five pillars for economic and social development.

The electricity generation mix is currently dominated by natural gas, with renewables accounting for only 3.0% of total electricity production in 2019. This heavy reliance on gas has raised concerns about energy security, as domestic production has stagnated and even declined in recent years. To address this, the government has introduced regulatory reforms and financial mechanisms to promote renewable energy development, particularly solar and wind power.

The Tunisian Solar Plan (TSP), updated in 2015 and adopted in 2016, aims to significantly expand renewable energy capacity. It targets 1860 MW by 2023 and 3815 MW by 2030, representing a five-fold and ten-fold increase, respectively, from the 2017 installed capacity. These targets are aligned with Tunisia's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, which includes a 41% reduction in carbon intensity by 2030 compared to 2010 levels.

Main Viewpoints

• Energy Security and Diversification: Tunisia's energy transition is driven by the need to reduce dependency on imported fossil fuels and diversify its energy mix.
• Renewable Potential: The country has abundant renewable energy resources, particularly in solar and wind, which are critical for achieving the 30/30 target.
• Private Sector Involvement: The government has prioritized attracting private investment through regulatory reforms and financial incentives.
• Energy Efficiency: A key component of the transition, energy efficiency is expected to contribute 68% of the total mitigation potential in the energy sector.
• Regulatory and Institutional Frameworks: Strengthening the legal and institutional environment is essential for the growth of renewable energy projects.
• Challenges and Recommendations: The RRA highlights several challenges, including complex procurement procedures, inadequate resource mapping, and unclear institutional roles, and proposes eight key actions to address them.

Key Information

Renewable Energy Targets

• 30/30 Target: Reduce primary energy demand by 30% and increase renewables in electricity production to 30% by 2030.
• TSP (Tunisian Solar Plan): Aims to increase renewable energy capacity to 1860 MW by 2023 and 3815 MW by 2030.
• Energy Efficiency: Expected to account for 68% of the country's total mitigation potential in the energy sector.
• Carbon Intensity Reduction: 41% reduction by 2030 compared to 2010, as part of the NDC under the Paris Agreement.

Renewable Energy Resources

• Solar Energy: Tunisia has high solar potential, especially in the southern regions.
• Wind Energy: Significant wind resources exist in the north and coastal areas.
• Hydropower: A smaller but important component of the energy mix.
• Bioenergy and Waste-to-Energy: Also part of the renewable portfolio, though less developed.

Regulatory and Institutional Reforms

• Law No. 2015-12: Introduced three new regulatory regimes: self-generation/consumption, concession, and authorisation.
• Energy Transition Fund (FTE): A key financial mechanism to support energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
• Independent Electric Power Regulator: Proposed to ensure regulatory compliance and fair competition for private producers.

Financial and Investment Recommendations

• Private Investment: Essential for achieving the TSP targets, especially for solar and wind projects.
• Financing Mechanisms: Includes the Energy Transition Fund, international finance institutions, and local banks.
• Guarantees and Credit Lines: Recommended to reduce investment risk and improve financial viability.
• SME and Farmer Support: Local banks and credit systems should be involved to support small and medium enterprises and farmers in adopting solar technologies.

Challenges

• Complex Procurement: STEG's lengthy procedures delay grid connection after project completion.
• Resource Mapping: Need for improved resource databases to identify optimal development zones.
• Institutional Clarity: Confusion around roles and responsibilities of public institutions in renewable energy projects.
• Public Debt and Trade Deficit: Economic constraints pose a challenge to large-scale renewable investments.

Key Recommendations

1. Establish a Renewable Energy Planning and Scheduling Framework

   • Develop long-term planning methodologies to support VRE (solar and wind) integration.
   • Ensure alignment between renewable generation and grid infrastructure development.

2. Enhance Renewables Resource Assessment through Zoning

   • Improve the resource database to reflect recent assessments.
   • Use tools like the Global Atlas for Renewable Energy to identify cost-effective zones.

3. Simplify Procurement Procedures for Power Grid Development

   • Streamline processes to reduce delays in grid connection.
   • Conduct integrated studies to align solar and wind capacity additions with grid reinforcement.

4. Clarify Institutional Roles and Strengthen Human Resources

   • Create a single online platform to improve transparency and clarity in institutional roles.
   • Provide training to public institutions and the private sector on renewable energy development.

5. Establish an Independent Electric Power Regulator

   • Ensure regulatory compliance and promote a fair competitive environment for private producers.
   • Streamline project development procedures and validate technical conditions for electricity evacuation.

6. Operationalise the Energy Transition Fund

   • Mobilise funding from both public and private sectors to support renewable energy projects.
   • Combine incentives, loans, and credit lines to improve financial viability.

7. Create a Dedicated Financing Mechanism for Solar Water Pumping

   • Design a program to encourage farmers to use solar PV instead of diesel.
   • Ensure compatibility with state subsidies and repayment capacity of farmers.

8. Involve Local Banks in Renewable Energy Financing

   • Strengthen the capacity of local banks for risk assessment and lending.
   • Seek support from international finance institutions and local guarantee companies to reduce investment risks.

Conclusion

The RRA highlights Tunisia's commitment to a sustainable energy future and outlines a roadmap for renewable energy integration. It identifies the 30/30 target as a central goal and recommends a comprehensive set of actions to overcome existing barriers and ensure the success of the energy transition. The report underscores the importance of regulatory clarity, financial support, and institutional coordination in achieving Tunisia's renewable energy objectives.