Benefits, eligibility, and membership procedures.
The self-production scheme for grid-connected systems in medium and high voltage has been in place in Tunisia since 2009, under Law No. 2009-7 of February 9, 2009, concerning energy management.
This scheme was incorporated into the new regulatory framework of 2015 (Law No. 2015-12 of May 11, 2015, and Decree No. 2016-1123 of August 24, 2016), which grants self-producers the right to transport electricity produced to various consumption sites and to sell the surplus to STEG (Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz) within a limit of 30% of the annually produced electricity, through a tariff set by the decision of the Minister of Energy of June 1, 2014.
As of December 2022, the ministry had granted 300 agreements for the installation of photovoltaic systems with a cumulative power of 60MW.
Despite this, the achievements for grid-connected MV/HV projects still fall short of the target set by the 2017-2020 program, which is 210MW, including 130MW in PV and 80MW in wind power. For this reason, the government has proposed new reforms, under Law No. 2019-47 on improving the investment climate (Articles 7 and 8), allowing the possibility of creating a self-production company dedicated to the production and sale of electricity from RES (Renewable Energy Sources) to one or more self-consumers, each with a subscribed power above a threshold set by order of the minister in charge of energy. The implementing decree of this new provision was published on February 25, 2020 (Decree No. 2020-105 amending and supplementing Decree No. 2016-1123 of August 24, 2016).
This new scheme was created under the cross-cutting Law No. 2019-47 (Article 7), giving self-producers the possibility to create project companies and partner with developers to produce and sell them electricity from renewable energies. The implementing texts are being developed: a draft contract for the transport and sale of surpluses has been prepared and was subject to public consultation in October 2022. The medium-voltage grid transport tariff will also be defined after the transport contract is approved by ministerial order.
Self-generation is a major axis in Tunisian energy transition policy and contributes to the diversification of the energy mix. Self-generation is destined to play an important role in achieving the objectives of power generation from renewable energy sources.
Electricity self-generation is possible for any local authority and public or private establishment that is connected to the national electricity network at Medium or High Voltage (MT-HT). This is mainly relevant for organizations active in the industrial, agricultural or service sectors. Any such bodies may file a request with the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Energy Transition (Ministère de l’Énergie des Mines et de la Transition Énergétique) to install the equipment necessary for MT-HT self-generation. This will need to be approved by an agreement with the Ministry.
The self-generation programme allows for the use of two options:
- On-site projects, without transmission of electricity through the grid
- Projects on remote sites, with electricity transmission through the grid
Projects without Transmission through the Grid
This type of project allows participating bodies to install their power generation unit directly on the premises of their activities. Since the power generated is consumed on site, such installations form a closed circuit, and transmission through the national grid is not required. Nevertheless, excess generation can usually be fed into the grid.
Excess power generation fed into the grid from the renewable generator, is recorded and invoiced monthly by STEG (Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz). The contractual relations between the self-generator and STEG are defined in the contract, “For the transmission of electrical energy produced from renewable energy installations connected to the HT-MT network and purchase of the surplus by STEG.” This surplus purchase contract is valid for a period of 20 years, after which, it is automatically renewable for subsequent periods of 1 year, unless terminated by either one of the parties.
Projects with Transmission through the Grid
This type of project allows the self-generator to install her or his production unit on a remote site, far from that of his primary activity.
The transmission of electricity from the point of generation to the point of consumption must necessarily pass along the national grid. Any surpluses generated but not consumed by the project, are fed directly into the grid.
Such surpluses are invoiced monthly by STEG as the sum of the current fed into the network over each hourly segment, multiplied by the tariff for the corresponding segment.
The terms and conditions for pricing surpluses are similar to those for self-generation without transmission. However, in the case of a project with electricity transmission, the transmission of electricity from the place of generation to the place of consumption is also taken into account, and the generator is invoiced by STEG for the use of its network. Charges on this tariff however, will only apply to the amount of electricity consumed by the generator – not to any surplus.
- Who can launch a project?
Any company (public, private, or local) connected to the national high or medium voltage electricity grid can produce electricity from renewable energy sources for its own consumption. - Surplus sales conditions:
Companies can sell up to 30% of their annual surplus production exclusively to the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG).
The financial mechanism proposed within this program includes a grant from the Energy Transition Fund (ETF), in accordance with Government Decree No. 2017-983 of July 26, 2017. This decree defines the rules of organization, operation, and intervention modalities of the ETF.
Les Primes
- Financing intangible investments
Feasibility studies: a grant not exceeding 70% of the cost with a ceiling of thirty thousand dinars (30,000D) per establishment. 70%
30KDTAssistance and support actions: a grant not exceeding 70% of the cost of the actions with a ceiling of seventy thousand dinars (70,000 D) for each establishment. 70%
70KDT - Financing of tangible investments
For all other material investments: a grant not exceeding 20% of the investment cost, with a ceiling of two hundred thousand dinars (200,000 DT). 20%
200KDT
- Financing intangible investments
Steps description
The first step consists of engaging an approved consulting firm to carry out a technical and economic feasibility study for your self-consumption project. This study assesses the technical and financial viability of the project based on your energy needs and the planned production capacity. It provides a solid basis for verifying that the project is feasible and profitable. At this stage, it is important to take into account the technical specifications and regulatory constraints of the planned installation.
- Engage an approved consulting firm for the feasibility study
- Have the pre-feasibility study approved
Who to contact?
Consulting firm
Documents obtained
Technical and financial proposal from the consulting firm
Documents to provide
Terms of reference for carrying out the technical and economic feasibility study
Once the feasibility study is complete, a request for a preliminary study is submitted to the Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz (STEG). STEG then examines the file to ensure that the project is compatible with the standards and requirements of the national electrical grid. If the project is deemed compliant, STEG issues an agreement in principle. This agreement is essential to move forward with the project’s implementation and to ensure that the future grid connection can be made without a negative impact on the network.
After obtaining the preliminary agreement, a detailed technical file must be submitted to STEG. This in-depth file describes the specifics of the project, including the equipment and configuration of the installation. STEG evaluates the file to ensure that all technical requirements are met. Once approved, this file allows installation procedures to begin in full compliance with STEG standards.
- Have the environmental impact notice approved
- Have the preliminary grid connection or reinforcement study approved
- Have the feasibility study approved and pay the consulting firm
Submit a ministerial approval request file to the Ministry in charge of Energy.
- Filing of the request: Applicants must submit a file in three copies (paper and digital) to the Ministry of Energy. This file includes, in 3 copies (1 original and 2 copies) and digital format (USB or CD):
- Information on the project developer: identity of the project developer, references of the installation company, accreditation certificates relating to the technology used
- Information on the site: boundary plan of the production site and consumption points, proof of allocation of the project site
- Information on the project: technical study (renewable energy source, technology used, capacity to be installed, projected electricity production, list of required equipment and their technical specifications), detailed implementation schedule, environmental impact study
- Information on the project’s relevance: annual energy consumption report for the last 3 years (or projected annual electricity consumption), economic study (project costs, operating and maintenance expenses, financing arrangements)
- Information on the grid connection: technical requirements specification for grid connection and evacuation of the energy produced, initialed and signed by the project developer; preliminary grid connection study showing the estimated costs of grid connection as well as network reinforcement costs, if necessary
Evaluation of the request: A technical committee at the Ministry forwards the file to STEG for an assessment of the feasibility of the grid connection. STEG has two months to give an opinion on the costs and feasibility of the interconnection.
Project approval: The Ministry decides within three months whether the project is approved. If approved, a ministerial decree is published in the Official Gazette (JORT).
Start of works: Once authorization is obtained, the promoter has one year to begin the works, otherwise the authorization is cancelled. Progress reports must be sent regularly to the Ministry, which may carry out inspection visits.
Who to contact?
Ministry in charge of Energy – General Directorate of Electricity and Renewable Energy
Good to know
The ministerial approval is valid for 2 years.
A one-year extension is possible upon justified request, subject to approval by the CTER (Technical Committee for Renewable Energy).
Documents obtained
Ministerial approval
Publication in the JORT (Official Gazette)
Legal basis
Decree No. 2016-1123 of 24 August 2016
- Evaluation of the request: A technical committee at the Ministry forwards the file to STEG for an assessment of the feasibility of the grid connection. STEG has two months to give an opinion on the costs and feasibility of the interconnection.
- Project approval: The Ministry decides within three months whether the project is approved. If approved, a ministerial decree is published in the Official Gazette.
- Start of works: Once authorization is obtained, the promoter has one year to begin the works, otherwise the authorization is cancelled. Progress reports must be sent regularly to the Ministry, which may carry out inspection visits.
Request STEG to carry out a detailed grid connection and/or reinforcement study: Once the project is completed, the promoter asks STEG to verify that the installation complies with connection standards. These final connection tests, carried out within 20 days, verify the compliance of the installation.
Start construction works: With STEG’s final approval, an approved installation company can be selected to carry out the works. This company will install the electricity production system, ensuring compliance with the project’s technical standards and specifications. After installation, a request for technical acceptance is submitted to STEG to inspect and approve the grid connection. The connection marks the final step in commissioning the installation.
Submit a request for technical acceptance and commissioning of the installation by STEG.
Sign the surplus sale contract with STEG: If compliant, a contract for the sale of surplus electricity is signed with STEG.
Who to contact?
- Installation company
- STEG
Documents utiles
- Loi n° 2015-12 du 11 mai 2015, relative à la production d’électricité à partir des énergies renouvelables .
- Décret gouvernemental n° 2016-1123 du 24 août 2016, fixant les conditions et les modalités de réalisation des projets de production et de vente d’électricité à partir des énergies renouvelables .
- Décret gouvernemental n° 2017-983 du 26 juillet 2017, fixant les règles d’organisation, de fonctionnement et les modalités d’intervention du fonds de la transition énergétique.
- Décret gouvernemental n° 2020-105 du 25 février 2020, modifiant et complétant le décret gouvernemental n° 2016-1123 du 24 août 2016, fixant les conditions et les modalités de réalisation des projets de production et de vente d’électricité à partir des énergies renouvelables.
- Arrêté de la ministre de l’énergie, des mines et des énergies renouvelables du 9 février 2017, portant approbation du contrat type de transport de l’énergie électrique produite à partir des énergies renouvelables pour la consommation propre, raccordée aux réseaux haute et moyenne tension et d’achat de l’excédent par la STEG.
- Arrêté du ministre de l’énergie, des mines et de la transition énergétique du 28 mai 2020, fixant le niveau minimal de la puissance souscrite individuelle de l’autoconsommateur ou des autoconsommateurs ouvrant le droit de vente de l’électricité produite à partir des énergies renouvelables.