The African Development Bank Group has welcomed the commissioning of the Kairouan solar power plant on December 16, 2025, marking a major milestone in Tunisia’s push to strengthen energy security and accelerate its transition to renewable energy.
Developed by AMEA Power in partnership with the Tunisian government and international financial institutions, the project is the largest solar plant ever built in Tunisia, with installed capacity exceeding 100 megawatts. It is also the first renewable energy facility in the country to inject electricity directly into the 225-kilovolt high-voltage grid operated by the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG).
The African Development Bank contributed about $25 million to the project’s financing, drawing on its own resources and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), a multi-donor fund managed by the Bank Group. The investment reflects the Bank’s strategy of supporting large-scale, high-impact private sector projects that advance energy resilience and climate goals.
Speaking at the commissioning, Malinne Blomberg, the Bank’s Deputy Director General for North Africa and Country Manager for Tunisia, described the project as a turning point for the country’s energy sector. She said the Kairouan plant represents a decisive step in Tunisia’s energy transition, reinforcing the Bank’s commitment to investments that reduce carbon emissions, strengthen energy systems, and deliver long-term value to communities.
Once fully operational, the plant is expected to generate 222 gigawatt-hours of clean electricity annually, enough to supply nearly 43,000 households. It will also help avoid around 117,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions each year, contributing to Tunisia’s climate commitments while reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels and exposure to global energy price volatility.
The commissioning comes as Tunisia works to implement its national energy strategy, which targets 35% of installed power capacity from renewable sources by 2030. The Kairouan project aligns closely with the African Development Bank’s strategic priorities, including resilient infrastructure, private sector development, climate action, and inclusive green growth.
With the plant now online, Tunisia takes a significant step toward diversifying its energy mix and building a more sustainable and secure power system for the future.
