EBRD finances €50 million for solar plant in Tataouine
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Tunisia Online
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Clean Technology Fund are providing €50 million to finance a solar plant with storage in Beni M’hira, in Tataouine Governorate.
Tunisia signed a €50 million financing guarantee agreement on Wednesday 11 November to build a photovoltaic solar power plant with battery storage in Beni M’hira, in Tataouine Governorate. The financing comprises €30 million from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and €20 million from the Clean Technology Fund, according to Tunisia’s Ministry of Economy and Planning.
The project also benefits from a €4 million grant to finance technical assistance. The agreement was signed by Tunisia’s Minister of Economy and Planning, Samir Abdelhafidh, the director of the EBRD’s office in Tunisia, George Akhalkatsi, and the chief executive officer of the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG), Fayçal Trifa, according to the ministry.
Samir Abdelhafidh presented the project as a means of increasing electricity production from renewable sources and reducing carbon emissions. George Akhalkatsi reaffirmed the EBRD’s commitment to financing public projects and supporting the private sector in Tunisia.
The project is part of the development of solar power in Tataouine, where a 120 MW plant had been announced on 22 September. The planned 120 MW solar plant in Tataouine is another step in developing this renewable capacity in the governorate.
