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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ณ Tunisia /Energy & Infrastructure

Tunisia's STEG: Power cuts only happen during 'red alert' on grid

From La Presse · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Tunisia's electricity company, STEG, explained that power outages occur only during "red alert" situations on the national grid.
  • These temporary cuts are preventive measures to maintain grid stability and avoid widespread blackouts due to exceptional demand.
  • Increased temperatures have significantly raised electricity demand, particularly for air conditioning, straining the electrical system.

The Tunisian Society of Electricity and Gas (STEG) has clarified the reasons behind temporary power outages, stating they are implemented exclusively when the national electricity grid reaches a "red alert" level. This occurs during periods of exceptionally high demand, which can strain the system to its limits.

According to Hind Neifer, director of commercial administration and marketing at STEG, these "limited" and targeted interruptions are preventive measures. Their primary goal is to preserve the stability of the grid and avert a complete national blackout. By temporarily reducing the load on the network, STEG aims to maintain equilibrium during peak consumption times.

Recent significant temperature increases have led to a substantial rise in electricity demand, largely driven by the intensive use of air conditioning. This surge places additional pressure on the electrical infrastructure. STEG emphasizes that load shedding, or "dรฉlestage," is a management mechanism employed by electricity operators to safeguard the grid's security when available production cannot meet simultaneous demand. While these temporary cuts can be inconvenient, they are designed to prevent more severe disruptions and ensure the continuity of power supply for the majority of subscribers during critical periods.

limitรฉes

โ€” Hind NeiferDescription of the targeted and limited nature of power interruptions by STEG.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Presse in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.