A helping hand for Tunisia’s green transition: The USAID-backed Tunisian Private Sector Energy Transition Support Program (Power Tunisia) is set to offer subsidies and technical assistance to private companies in the country to help back their green transition, Tunis Africa Press Agency (TAP) reported last week.

Who is involved: Two agreements were signed last Wednesday between Power Tunisia and the Tunisia Green Building Council and the Chambre Syndicale du Photovoltaïque de Tunisie, Deputy Project Manager of Power Tunisia Sam Losow said.

What we know: The two agreements will help promote the development of innovative solutions for the accessibility of clean energy for industrial facilities, commercial establishments, agricultural businesses, among others, according to TAP. They would also pave the way for the joint development of programs and campaigns to spur energy efficiency practices and raise awareness about energy saving.

All part of a bigger scheme: Power Tunisia aims to expedite the adoption of renewable energy solutions for Tunisian companies through the deployment of 70 MW of renewable energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions by one mn metric tons per year, Losow said. The project would pave the way to raise USD 40 mn for investments in clean energies with support directed to over 1.75k Tunisian companies, he said. The program will target leading enterprises with projects estimated at USD 2 mn, medium-sized enterprises ranging from USD 20k to USD 2 mn and small-sized enterprises with projects valued at lower than USD 20k.

It's all needed on the road to decarbonization: The new subsidies program would allow private sector businesses to slash energy bills and raise competitiveness and profitability while adhering to the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism starting from 2026. According to TAP, Tunisian steel, cement, fertilizer, and aluminum companies exporting to Europe will have to declare their carbon emissions starting October 2023. They will have to obtain carbon certificates or pay financial adjustments later when the mechanism comes into force in 2026.

REMEMBER- Tunisia aims to increase the share of renewables in its energy mix to 35% by 2030, equivalent to an additional installed capacity of approximately 4 GW. It also plans to become carbon neutral by 2050 under the country’s energy strategy for 2035, according to officials. Tunisia has unconditionally committed to pushing down its emissions from 2010 levels by 27% by 2030, and has set a conditional target to slash its emissions by 45% compared to 2010 by the end of the decade if it receives additional international support, according to the UNDP.

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