Heatwave threatens Tunisia's power supply

Tunisia is unable to supply its residents with sufficient electricity as a result of the increased demand caused by the heatwave, the minister of energy revealed yesterday.

In a press conference held in Tunis, Minister of Energy, Mining and Renewables, Hela Cheikhrouhou, said: “The state company is facing a crisis due to the increasing daily electricity consumption, mainly during the current heatwave.”

She said that the daily consumption of electricity has increased by 11 per cent compared to the same period last year.

In addition to the current heatwave, she said the suspension of work in gas fields in the south of the country due to the protests calling for investment contributed to the crisis because it reduced the productivity of a number of electricity plants.

Read: Tunisia gas field protesters reach deal, production to restart

In an effort to deal with the gas shortage, the minister said a deal had been struck with neighbouring Algeria.

She also said that the daily consumption of electricity in the country has almost reached the peak, noting that the current daily consumption is 3,800 Megawatt while the expected peak demand is between 3,600 and 3,900 Megawatt.

“Electricity consumption is almost equal to the total national electricity production,” she said.