Tunisia: EV charger halted due to grid strain, highlighting infrastructure challenges

A photograph taken at a shopping mall in La Marsa, Tunisia, captures a paradox facing the nation's electric mobility sector. A sign on an electric vehicle charging station announces its "provisional stop to lighten the STEG network," indicating that even as Tunisia plans to expand its charging infrastructure, existing facilities are hampered by the national electricity grid's limitations.

This situation arises as the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME) announces plans for new charging stations across various regions. These developments involve increased participation from private investors, public institutions, and municipalities. ANME is also working to establish a regulatory framework for this sector and is considering the gradual adoption of solar energy to power charging stations.

The expansion of electric mobility in Tunisia is not solely about increasing the number of charging points. It critically depends on having an electricity grid capable of meeting the new demand, especially during peak consumption periods. The country faces the challenge of simultaneously advancing electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, and renewable electricity generation capacity.