The European Commission has received nine expressions of interest exclusively for Tunisia under the T-MED energy initiative, representing a potential value of approximately 33 billion euros. This makes Tunisia one of the top three countries in the southern Mediterranean region to attract proposals, behind Morocco and Egypt. Erwan Martin, responsible for energy at the European Commission's Directorate-General for the Middle East, North Africa, and the Gulf, disclosed this information at the 28th International Forum of Réalités in Hammamet.
The nine Tunisian proposals are part of 38 regional project expressions of interest submitted under T-MED, involving seven partner countries and companies from eleven European Union member states. The total value of these regional projects could reach 145 billion euros. However, most of these proposals are still in the preliminary stage of development. The European Commission's initiative aims to support the development of renewable energy, renewable hydrogen, clean technologies, and electrical infrastructure in southern Mediterranean countries.
The 33 billion euros associated with Tunisia corresponds to the envisaged value of the projects, not approved financing or definitively committed investments. Five investors have been selected to examine investment opportunities in the Tunisian market through a separate process. The names of the companies behind the nine proposals, the precise nature of the projects, and their implementation timelines have not been made public.
The T-MED initiative, launched in June 2026, aims to support the development of renewable energy, renewable hydrogen, clean technologies, and electrical infrastructure in southern Mediterranean countries. On October 26, the European Commission announced the creation of an investment platform with a European guarantee capacity of up to 4.5 billion euros at the regional level. This platform will facilitate contacts between project promoters, private investors, and financial institutions.
The European Commission's initiative includes two photovoltaic power plants in Tunisia, each with a capacity of 100 MW, benefiting from European support of around 92 and 80 million euros, respectively. The realization of the new proposals will depend on their technical and financial maturity, necessary authorizations, access to electrical networks, and the mobilization of investors.
For Tunisia, the challenge will be to transform these expressions of interest into concrete projects. The country is seeking to increase its renewable energy capacity and reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. The T-MED initiative is expected to play a significant role in supporting Tunisia's energy transition.
The European Commission's support for Tunisia's energy sector is part of a broader effort to promote sustainable development and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the Mediterranean region. The commission's investment platform is expected to attract significant private sector investment in the region's energy sector.
Key points
- Nine Tunisian energy project proposals worth 33 billion euros have been submitted under the European initiative T-MED.
- The T-MED initiative aims to support the development of renewable energy, renewable hydrogen, clean technologies, and electrical infrastructure in southern Mediterranean countries.
- The European Commission has created an investment platform with a European guarantee capacity of up to 4.5 billion euros to support project financing.
