Wind Energy

Wind power in Tunisia

It will also help bringing down emission to 300,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere. With a 30 month-achievement date limit and an estimated cost of 200 million Euros, the “Metline” and “Kchabta” wind energy stations will generate, approximately 380 million dinars. The project is financed as part of a loan from the Spanish Fund of Assistance to Development (FAD).

This project, which is part of Tunisia’s strategy aiming at investing in renewable energies as a way of achieving sustainable development, as well as saving on expensive petrol imports, will also help the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) to extend the project, thanks to the setting up of 26 additional wind turbines on each of the two wind farms, in order to raise the capacity of the two wind power stations from 120 to 190 MW. This operation will be financed by FAD, by means of 105 million Euros.

In the aftermath of the recent soar in the prices of hydrocarbons, and within the context of a highly volatile energy market in general, Tunisia’s wind farms are currently producing 6% of the country’s electricity. It is expected that by 2011, wind power will produce 300 MW. Previous studies have shown that the country’s wind power potential is estimated at 1000 MW.

Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse

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