Kairouan Solar Project in Tunisia Hits 82% Completion, Set to Begin Operations by 2025
Construction of Tunisia’s Kairouan solar project is progressing rapidly, surpassing 82% completion as of September 2025. Senior officials, including Secretary of State for Energy Transition Ouael Chouchene, STEG CEO Tarifa Faycel, Kairouan Governor Dhaker Barguaoui, and Almud Weitz from the World Bank Group, recently visited the site to assess progress.
The 120 MWp facility, located in Metbassta within Kairouan governorate, is expected to begin commercial operations before the end of the year. Developed by AMEA Power under a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model, it is Tunisia’s first privately financed solar plant to reach financial close under the country’s concession regime.
With an $86 million investment supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the African Development Bank (AfDB), the project marks a critical step in Tunisia’s renewable energy transition.
Once operational, the solar farm will generate an estimated 222 GWh of electricity annually, enough to power over 43,000 households and reduce approximately 117,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year.
The 200-hectare site is equipped with over 220,000 solar modules and 16 inverters, with all electricity output secured under a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with the Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz (STEG).
The Kairouan project is part of Tunisia’s broader strategy to deploy five large-scale solar plants totaling 500 MW across regions such as Tataouine, Gafsa, Tozeur, and Sidi Bouzid.
Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen the national grid, diversify energy sources, and establish Tunisia as a regional leader in clean energy.
As construction nears completion, the Kairouan solar plant stands as a landmark achievement in Tunisia’s energy transition, embodying innovation, resilience, and a strong commitment to sustainable growth.
