Summary:

On 5 November 2025, Tunisian media outlet La Presse reported that the Sbikha photovoltaic solar plant in Kairouan is expected to begin operations by the end of November 2025.

Developed by AMEA Power, a UAE-based renewable energy firm operating through its Tunisian subsidiary Kairouan Solar Plant (KSP), the project spans nearly 200 hectares and is 95 percent complete.

Once operational, the plant is expected to generate around 230 megawatts per year, equivalent to 1.3 percent of Tunisia’s national electricity consumption, and feed its output into the national grid operated by STEG, Tunisia’s nationalized power provider.

With a total investment of 260 million dinars, the project represents Tunisia’s largest solar installation to date and a significant step toward reducing the country’s reliance on imported energy, which still accounts for nearly two-thirds of national demand.

Authorities estimate that the new capacity could lower natural gas imports by around $25 million annually and cut carbon emissions by approximately 120,000 tons per year.

Outlook: 

The latest suspensions of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Tunisia signal a continued contraction of Tunisia’s civic space. Many commentators view the latest actions as part of a deliberate increase of administrative and legal pressures on associations, particularly those engaged in human rights, migration, and social justice advocacy.  

In the short term, additional organizations may face similar restrictions under the pretext of financial transparency or administrative compliance. These measures are likely to strain relations between the government and international partners that fund or cooperate with Tunisian NGOs, while heightening concerns over democratic backsliding and governance transparency. 

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