Tunisia is facing significant energy shortages and infrastructure challenges as residents grapple with the effects of unusually cold weather, leading to widespread natural gas shortages. Long queues are forming outside small natural gas depots, particularly evident in regions like Beja. The interruptions are particularly severe for those living outside major urban centers, where access to natural gas is limited.
Alaa Hammami, a natural gas distributor based in Goubellat, just 50 kilometers from Beja, expressed the growing frustrations among consumers. "The situation is becoming very frustrating. People are calling constantly for gas, but there’s none available," he explained, indicating the high demand created by the recent cold snap.
Many Tunisians, particularly those residing in rural and underserved areas, remain dependent on gas cylinders for heating and cooking. Approximately only one-third of inhabited areas across the country are connected to permanent natural gas lines, exacerbated by the fact the majority of these lines service the main cities.
Vendors like Mounir Riahi are feeling the pinch of these shortages, noting, "Normally, between December and January, I sell up to 4,000 gas cylinders a day. For over a week, we’ve only received some 1,200 cylinders, and then it dropped to 800.” The stark reality is forcing many families to resort to seeking alternative sources like firewood, which is hard to come by. Reports indicate similar scenes of desperation across other rural areas, including Jendouba and Kairouan.
The vice-president of the Tunisian National Chamber of Gas Cylinder Distributors, Brahim Ziouziou, acknowledged the crisis is largely due to shipping delays caused by bad weather. He estimates the country needs around 200,000 gas cylinders to meet national demands. He remains hopeful, stating, "This should be achievable within a week, at which point we can return to our normal pace," as three ships carrying liquefied natural gas are scheduled to arrive shortly.
Compounding these energy-related hurdles is the persistent economic instability faced by many Tunisians, with over 17 percent of the population living in poverty. Ongoing inequalities between the coastal and interior regions continue to limit access to basic goods, including food supplies like flour and milk, which are often state-subsidized.
On another front, the Tunisian government is attempting to bolster its energy capacity through more sustainable means. Recently, the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy launched a tender for the development of 200 megawatts of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity under the concession regime. Two projects, each targeting up to 100 MW, are part of Tunisia's broader plan to transition to renewable energy, aimed at generating significant power output by 2027.
The location of these projects remains undisclosed, with applications from interested bidders open until April 2025. This initiative follows the government's approval of two major power generation tenders intended to procure 1,700 MW of renewable energy capacity. Tunisia has set ambitious targets, aiming for 12% of its power mix to come from renewables by 2020 and reaching 35% by 2030.
Despite these plans, progress has been sluggish, with only about 5% of the energy mix sourced from renewables by 2020 and increasing marginally to 6% by 2023—comprising approximately 4.9% solar, 1.5% wind, and less than 1% hydropower. Various initiatives have been announced since 2017, but the remarkable underperformance remains evident as Tunisia continues to struggle with its energy demands amid increasing population pressures.
The dichotomy between energy shortages and the electrification efforts signals broader challenges—especially related to infrastructure disparities and socioeconomic inequality. The Tunisian experience reflects the looming threats of climate change impacts and energy transition barriers, which necessitate accelerated and equitable approaches to renewable energy deployment to stay aligned with national ambitions.
Without immediate resolution to the natural gas supply challenges and improvements to the renewable energy sector, the struggle of the Tunisian population is set to continue. The recent cold snap serves as both a wake-up call and reminder of the urgent need for the Tunisian authorities to address these pressing energy and infrastructure concerns effectively.