According to Chairman Hussain Jassim of AMEA Power, work on a solar plant in Kairouan will begin in 2023. Jassim said in a statement to TAP that a visit to Tunisia will be made in the middle of December to meet with government officials and energy players. The aim is to discuss ways to realize this project in El Metbasta, a delegation in Kairouan.

The revelation was made on the sidelines of a business mission led by the Confederation of Tunisian Citizen Enterprises (CONECT) to Abidjan from December 4 to 8. In this regard, the official reminded that AMEA Power had won the worldwide competition to construct a solar power plant with a 100 megawatt (MW) capacity in the Kairouan governorate. The competition was held by the Tunisian Ministry of Industry, Energy, and Mines.

Additionally, he added that the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the ADB have already secured an agreement in principle. And that the company has completed the conventional and legal procedures and is trying to mobilize the required money (AfDB).

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Cost of the solar plant in Kairouan

According to him, the solar plant in Kairouan will cost between US$120m and US$140m and take 24 months to complete. Furthermore, Al Nowais claimed that after the opening of the bids required for its implementation, the project’s launch was postponed due to the current state of the world, especially the conflict in Russia and Ukraine.

In this context, he highlighted that Tunisia has the necessary natural resources and human capital. To draw investment in renewable energy sources like solar and wind. Additionally, he stated that AMEA Power is eager to increase its investments in solar and wind power in Bizerte (North).

Furthermore, aside from its projects in Morocco and other African nations, “AMEA-Power” invests in more than 15 nations. Including Egypt, where the firm generates 1000 megawatts.