The Tunisian Government is preparing to launch a giant solar power plant project in the country’s southernmost province of Tataouine.

The project is intended to help the region to achieve three main goals: create the conditions for the development of organic farming, improve tourism in the Tunisian Sahara, and promote R&D activities in connection with innovative technologies for desert areas. Furthermore, the project aims to improve security at the border with Libya.

The solar power plant will be constructed in three phases. Between 2018 and 2020, the deployment of 200 MW of power generation assets will take place. In parallel to this, some 5,000 hectares of agricultural land will be developed, the roads and the grid will be constructed, and an international center for supporting the project will be established.

During the second phase (2021-2025), some 500 MW of PV power generation assets will be constructed, and 15,000 hectares of agricultural land will be developed.

During the third phase (dates are unknown yet), another 1 GW of PV generation capacity will be constructed and some 30,000 hectares of agricultural land will be developed.

Tunisia aims to have a total of 4.7 GW of renewable energy generation assets installed by 2030, which will make up some 30% of its total generation capacity. Currently, the gas-fired thermal power plants dominate in Tunisia’s 5.2 GW energy generation assets.