Tunisia's renewable energy sector has seen significant growth, with renewables accounting for 9% of the country's electricity production as of July 2026. This marks a substantial increase from previous reports, which cited a figure of 2.9% as of June 2026. The updated figure comes from the National Observatory of Energy and Mines (ONEM), which reported that the majority of this growth comes from solar power.
The breakdown of Tunisia's electricity mix reveals that natural gas remains the dominant source, accounting for 90.8% of production. Renewable energy sources, including solar, wind, and hydroelectric power, make up 9% of the mix, while fuel and gasoil account for 0.4%. Within the renewable energy sector, solar power dominates with 8.1% of the mix, followed by wind power at 0.6% and hydroelectric power at 0.07%.
Autoproduction, or self-production, of solar energy has played a significant role in Tunisia's renewable energy growth. As of July 2026, ONEM reported that autoproducers generated 607 GWh of solar energy, up 43% from the previous year. This represents approximately 4.9% of Tunisia's total electricity production, which reached 12,333 GWh. Autoproduction now accounts for more than half of Tunisia's renewable energy production.
The growth of autoproduction is also reflected in the installed capacity of solar panels. As of July 2026, approximately 515 MW of residential solar panels and 130 MW of medium- and high-tension solar panels were installed in industries, tertiary sectors, and agriculture. This represents a significant increase in the use of solar energy for self-production.
Tunisia's overall electricity production increased by 6% to 12,333 GWh, while renewable energy production rose by 61% over the past year. The country also imported 10% of its electricity needs, primarily from Algeria. These figures provide a new baseline for evaluating Tunisia's goal of increasing renewable energy to 35% of its electricity mix by 2030.
The updated figures raise questions about the strategies and capacities needed to achieve Tunisia's 2030 renewable energy target. The growth of autoproduction and the role of independent producers will likely play a significant part in meeting this goal. As the country moves forward, it will be essential to monitor the development of new capacities and the contributions of various sectors to the renewable energy mix.
The SITE 2026 conference, which concluded in Tunis, highlighted the importance of continued investment and innovation in Tunisia's renewable energy sector. With a clearer understanding of the current state of renewable energy in the country, stakeholders can now focus on developing strategies to achieve the 35% target and ensure a sustainable energy future for Tunisia.
Key points
- Renewable energy accounts for 9% of Tunisia's electricity mix as of July 2026.
- Autoproduction of solar energy makes up more than half of Tunisia's renewable energy production.
- Tunisia aims to increase renewable energy to 35% of its electricity mix by 2030.
