Tunisia's power cuts reveal flaws in energy model, says electricity federation secretary general

He attributes the outages to a long-standing deficit in anticipation and investment. Ben Ammar noted that electricity consumption this summer surpassed all projections, exceeding 6,400 MW compared to previous peaks of 5,000 to 5,700 MW. While increased air conditioning use during intense heat contributes, he emphasizes that past laxity in planning has exacerbated the problem.

Ben Ammar stressed the need for proactive investment in electricity production, suggesting a new power plant every two years to meet growing demand and ensure system security. He clarified that the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company Steg is not solely responsible, as political decisions, investments, and strategic guidance are crucial for infrastructure development. The Federation had previously warned authorities in April and through correspondence about the risk of power cuts, but these alerts largely went unheeded.

Ben Ammar advocates for a comprehensive overhaul of the national energy model, promoting diversified energy sources including renewables, liquefied natural gas, and a national debate on nuclear power. He urged authorities to accelerate existing energy projects, especially those that can quickly add capacity by 2028, prioritizing national needs over long-term announcements or export-oriented