Tunisia is looking to continue its push as one of the region's leaders in solar energy. As one of the foremost countries in the region to adopt the Mediterranean solar power, a new project is grabbing attention in terms of Tunis' goals of garnering renewable energy sources. According to the environment ministry, the country plans to boost its output of renewable energies and has launched a number of renewable energy projects, including wind farming and solar projects, as part of its own solar plan. Recently, it also adhered to the international “Desertec†project. Earlier this month, the Tunisia Company Gas and Electricity company (STEG) and the national agency of energy rationalization (ANME) dedicated a seminar to the launch of Tunisia's Solar Plan. Bringing together representatives of international financial institutions, donors and Tunisian government officials, the meeting is hopeful for, literally, a brighter future. The Tunisian solar plan includes 40 projects in the sectors of solar energy, wind energy and underwater electrical interconnection between Tunisia and Italy. In his opening remarks at the seminar, Abdelaziz Rassaa, the Secretary of State in charge of renewable energy, stressed Tunisia’s international cooperation in the renewable energy sector with the European Union, the World Bank, the Environmental World Fund and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Ayadi Ben Aissa, the Director General of the National Agency of Energy Rationalization told reporters after the meeting that the participation of financial institutions at the international seminar “is crucial to finance the Tunisian solar plan which also continues to receive the support of the World bank as well as several others major financial institutions.” BM
