Tunisia has signed implementation agreements for four solar photovoltaic projects with a combined capacity of 500 MW, according to a statement issued on Monday. The projects — the first phase of the country’s 1.7 GW renewable energy tender program under a concession scheme — are worth some TND 2.2 bn (c.USD 708 mn), according to a separate statement (watch, runtime 2:59). The projects are slated to come online in 2027, generate around 1.1 TWh of electricity annually to supply 5% of the country’s power needs, all while cutting 250k tons of gas use annually and saving USD 125 mn in gas import costs.

The developers: French renewable firm Qair signed power purchase agreements for two plants — one with 100 MW capacity in El Ksour (Gafsa) and another 200 MW in Khebnah (Sidi Bouzid). France’s Voltalia will carry out a 100 MW project in Manzel Habib (Gabes). Norwegian firm Scatec — in partnership with Japan’s Aeolus — will develop a 100 MW facility in Mezzouna (Sidi Bouzid).

We knew this was coming: Tunisia awarded the contracts for the four photovoltaic projects in the first phase of its 1.7 GW call for tenders in December last year.

Wait…there’s a new tender open: Tunisia started receiving bids on 25 March for the first round of its second wind energy tender offering two wind energy projects, each with 75 MW capacity, according to the statement.

ALSO- More details on the Scatec-Aeolus project: Scatec signed a 25-year power purchase agreement with Tunisia’s state utility STEG for the Sidi Bouzid project that the company is co-developing with Aeolus, according to a statement issued on Tuesday. The project’s total capex is estimated at EUR 87 mn, with Scatec set to serve as the EPC provider and cover around 85% of the EPC costs. Scatec is also currently in talks to secure debt financing, with more details of the financing expected to be finalized by 2H 2025.

REMEMBER- It isn’t the first venture for the duo in Tunisia: The EBRD and France’s Proparco agreed in August to lendEUR 25 mn to Scatec and Aeolus for the construction of two solar plants also in Sidi Bouzid and Tozeur, with 60 MW each. The EBRD later followed up in December with a EUR 20 mn equity bridge loan for support. Scatec and Aeolus broke ground on the Tozeur plant in September, with operations slated by year-end.

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