Tunisia Opens 50-MW Solar Tender with Battery Storage

Tunisia's national utility STEG launched a tender for a 50 MW solar PV plant with 10 MW/20 MWh battery storage in southern Tunisia, advancing its renewable energy targets.

Tunisia's national utility STEG launched a tender for a 50 MW solar photovoltaic plant paired with a 10 MW/20 MWh battery energy storage system. The project, located in Tataouine, southern Tunisia, requires submissions by December 10, 2026. It is part of Tunisia's broader 1.7 GW renewable energy tender framework, following a March 2026 tender for a 300 MW solar farm with 150 MW/540 MWh storage. Tunisia's reported operational solar capacity, per the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA) database, stands at 728.8 MW—though this figure is not real-time official data.

This project directly addresses energy access and grid resilience. By adding 50 MW clean power and 20 MWh storage capacity, it reduces long-term electricity costs and fossil fuel dependence for Tunisia's grid. The scale aligns with the country's push to expand renewable capacity beyond current levels, potentially lowering household energy expenses and strengthening energy security against price volatility.

For the need of clean energy access (SUSTENANCE), this tender moves toward cheaper, more reliable electricity. The battery storage component specifically enhances grid stability during peak demand, reducing reliance on fossil fuel backups. What to watch: The project's finalization will depend on meeting the December 2026 submission deadline and Tunisia's ability to integrate new capacity into its grid without overloading existing infrastructure. The AFSIA database figure for current capacity remains a reported estimate, not verified real-time data.

Source: pv magazine