Tunisia to Triple Electricity Production from Waste in Sousse; Launches 50 Green Partnerships

Tunisia is advancing its environmental strategy with a significant expansion of a pilot waste-to-energy unit in Sousse, aiming to boost green energy production and promote circular waste management. The Minister of Environment, Habib Abid, revealed ambitious plans to increase the facility's electricity output, which will subsequently power around 1,000 households.

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The pilot unit for energy valorization installed on the controlled landfill site of Oued Laya, in Sousse, is preparing to reach a major industrial milestone. Its electricity production capacity from waste will be extended to power nearly 1,000 homes, compared to 300 to 400 homes currently.

Currently, the Oued Laya waste valorization unit generates enough electricity for 300 to 400 homes. The planned expansion marks a major industrial step forward, aligning with Tunisia's broader goals for ecological sustainability. This initiative is part of a larger effort to integrate renewable energy sources and improve waste management practices across the country.

In parallel with the energy project, Tunisia is fostering unprecedented territorial mobilization through 50 new public-private partnerships. These agreements, signed with local hoteliers and business leaders in the Sousse governorate, focus on optimizing landscaping for public spaces like roundabouts and roadside areas. Minister Abid highlighted this synergy as a development model for replication, emphasizing its role in the national initiative to beautify the Sahel region and clean its beaches.

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This synergy is a development model to be duplicated, highlighting its perfect integration into the major initiative to beautify the Sahel and clean the beaches.

The project "TOUMALI," supported by Germany and the regional tourism directorate, specifically targets coastal pollution. It aims to map and analyze waste generated by hotels, cafes, and restaurants to establish an effective recycling and valorization system. The initiative, currently managed by the Hammam Sousse municipality, is moving towards the creation of a dedicated commercial company to ensure its long-term operation. Minister Abid stressed that this shift towards a green economy is a response to a national ecological emergency, citing statistics that show Tunisians generate between 0.8 to 1 kilogram of waste daily, totaling 3.3 to 4 million tons annually, with 10% being highly polluting plastics.

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This shift towards a green economy is part of a national ecological emergency context.