The Tunisian economy suffered significantly from last summer's electricity cuts, with a loss of 13 working days affecting nearly two-thirds of businesses, according to a survey by the Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE). The losses amounted to 1,269.6 million dinars in direct added value. The IACE presented the survey results at its Tunis Forum on October 26, 2026, under the theme "Tunisia in the Geopolitics of Energy."
The survey revealed that companies expect similar electrical difficulties in 2027. To prevent a repeat of last summer's losses, the focus shifts from recovering lost production days to avoiding future losses. A proposed solution is a national rotating power outage schedule, allowing industries to anticipate and adjust to regular, announced power cuts, protecting equipment and ensuring continuity in strategic sectors.
The planned power outage schedule would enable factories to plan deliveries, adjust work hours, and perform maintenance safely. This approach would also protect sensitive equipment from sudden electrical shocks and ensure that export-oriented companies and continuous-activity businesses receive special treatment to avoid supply disruptions and contractual penalties.
A national electricity demand management calendar could be implemented, dividing industrial zones into groups and subjecting them to rotating power outages during peak periods. In return, affected companies could benefit from clear rules on work organization and compensatory rest. This approach would place the issue of power cuts within a planning logic, considering the broader costs of interruptions.
The experience of 2026 showed that the cost of a power outage extends beyond the electricity not provided, encompassing damaged machinery, lost production, delayed orders, potential penalties, lost clients, and postponed investments. To compensate for lost production time without excessively burdening employees, a flexible work arrangement could be introduced, allowing for voluntary work on certain Sundays.
The proposed flexible work arrangement would enable companies to make up for lost time without incurring excessive costs. Employees working extra hours would be entitled to compensatory rest, distributing the effort over time to avoid overloading them during a single critical period. Preventing losses would be more cost-effective than repairing the damage.
The challenge for Tunisia is to transform the shock of last summer into a sustainable organizational model. By establishing a clear calendar, the country can help its economy navigate the next summer season without being affected by unpredictable power cuts. The plan aims to provide a stable and reliable electricity supply, supporting the country's economic growth and development.
Key points
- Tunisia plans to implement a national rotating power outage schedule to avoid unpredictable electricity cuts.
- The 2026 summer electricity cuts resulted in a loss of 13 working days and 1,269.6 million dinars in direct added value.
- The proposed plan includes flexible work arrangements and compensatory rest for employees working extra hours.
