Tunisia's Minister of State for Energy Transition, Wail Chouchane, emphasized that the country's energy transition is a top strategic priority. This priority aims to address Tunisia's structural energy deficit and heavy reliance on imports. The energy sector has become crucial for economic sovereignty, industrial competitiveness, and attracting investments. Chouchane made these remarks at the opening of the second edition of the "African Energy Forum" in Tunis.
The global energy landscape is undergoing significant changes due to geopolitical shifts, fluctuations in energy markets, and climate commitments. These changes are driving the need for a rapid acceleration of the energy transition towards cleaner energies. Tunisia has initiated a gradual transformation of its energy system, focusing on developing renewable energies and improving energy efficiency. This transformation aims to make the energy transition a driver of economic development.
The goal of Tunisia's energy transition is to enhance the country's attractiveness and support the competitiveness of its industrial fabric. This involves developing new skills, creating more value-added jobs, and generating opportunities in various regions. Achieving this goal requires significant investments in production capacities, networks, infrastructure, storage solutions, and new technologies. It also necessitates close cooperation between public authorities, institutions, companies, financial institutions, and technical partners.
Rania Merzouki, General Manager of the Tunisian Petroleum Activities Company, highlighted that energy security is no longer based on a single source. Instead, it depends on diversifying energy sources, developing national production, improving energy efficiency, and enhancing infrastructure. She emphasized that Tunisia's institutional framework is a significant asset, with the Tunisian Petroleum Activities Company playing a pivotal role in developing national resources.
Merzouki noted that Tunisia's strategic location in the Mediterranean, near Algeria, Libya, Europe, and the Arab world, provides an opportunity to strengthen its role as a regional energy platform. The participation of several African and Arab countries in the African Energy Forum reflects the desire to consolidate cooperation and bring together markets and experiences. This cooperation aims to transition from ambitions to concrete projects in the energy sector.
The second edition of the African Energy Forum, organized by the Tunisian Association of Energy Professionals in partnership with the Tunisian Petroleum Activities Company and the National Agency for Energy Control, focuses on energy security, diversification of energy sources, and good governance. The forum also explores developing exploration and production activities, accelerating the energy transition towards clean energies, and enhancing interconnections between Tunisia, Europe, and neighboring countries.
The forum aims to promote dialogue and cooperation between various stakeholders in the energy sector in Tunisia and Africa. It seeks to identify opportunities for cross-border energy cooperation and convert them into implementable projects. The event also focuses on leadership and innovation in the energy sector, including preparing future leaders and encouraging innovation in areas such as electric mobility and reducing the carbon footprint of the industrial sector.
Key points
- Tunisia's energy transition is a strategic priority to address its structural energy deficit and reliance on imports.
- The energy transition aims to enhance Tunisia's economic sovereignty and industrial competitiveness.
- The African Energy Forum promotes dialogue and cooperation between stakeholders in the energy sector to drive the energy transition.
