The Prime Minister of Tunisia has given ABO Wind permission to build its first wind project in the country, following a tender.
The 30MW wind farm, located near Mornag city, 35km south-east of Tunis, will be commissioned in 2021.
ABO Wind plans to install Siemens Gamesa SG145 turbines with capacities of 4.2MW and 4.5MW.
ABO Wind department head Nicholas Konig said: “Thanks to our good site selection, we were successful in the tender with our project.”
Konig was given permission on behalf of his company in a recent meeting with the Tunisian Prime Minister Youssef Chahed.
ABO Wind is in the process of concluding an electricity supply contract with the state-owned energy supplier Societe tunisienne de l’electricite et du gaz (STEG), which provides a fixed remuneration over 20 years for the electricity fed into the grid.
ABO Wind is developing half a dozen Tunisian wind and solar projects and expects to receive additional permits this year and to conclude electricity supply contracts.
ABO Wind general manager for international business development Patrik Fischer said: “Tunisia offers us the best conditions to advance projects from planning to commissioning.
“We aim to develop a portfolio in the high double-digit megawatts range, achieving cost advantages and we also gaining relevance for potential investors.”
By 2030, renewable energy is expected to supply 30% of Tunisia’s electricity demand, up from 3% today.