The construction of the Segdoud solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant in Tunisia is set to start in the second quarter of 2025. This 130-megawatt (MW) project is located in Redeyef, Gafsa Governorate. It is part of a public-private partnership (PPP) model aimed at increasing renewable energy capacity in the country.
French renewable energy company Voltalia will develop and operate the solar power plant. The project is estimated to cost around 350 million Tunisian dinars, which is approximately $114 million. Voltalia was awarded the project in May 2024. The plant will cover an area of 200 hectares and will operate under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the national grid operator, STEG (Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz). The agreement can be extended for an additional 10 years.
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is expected to finance this project. It will include a 225-kilovolt transmission line extending 25 kilometers to connect the power plant to the national grid, specifically through the Tozeur and Metlaoui stations managed by STEG.
In addition to the Segdoud project, Tunisia has been advancing other solar initiatives. One notable project is the 10 MW solar PV plant in the south of Tunisia, which aims to enhance the local energy supply. Furthermore, the Tunisian government plans to implement a large-scale solar energy program that includes the development of multiple solar farms across the country, contributing to its goal of generating 35 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030.
The development of the Segdoud solar PV plant and other recent solar projects reflects Tunisia’s growing focus on renewable energy as a means to meet its electricity needs and support its environmental goals.
