TUNIS / Adel Al-Thabeti / Anadolu

Tunisian authorities announced Monday a 6% increase in electricity production in the first five months of this year compared to the same period in 2025, despite ongoing power outages in several areas of the country.

Data from the National Observatory for Energy and Mines (government), reported by the official Tunisian news agency, showed that national electricity production reached 7,506 gigawatt-hours by the end of May, an increase of 6% compared to the same period in 2025.

The observatory explained that this production includes self-generation from renewable energies, compared to 7,067 gigawatt-hours during the same period last year.

It added that production for the local market increased by 4%, while electricity imports, mainly from Algeria, covered about 9% of local market needs until the end of May.

It clarified that "the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (state-owned) maintained the lion's share of electricity production, accounting for 91% of total national output until May 2026. The share of electricity generation from renewable energies reached 9% of total production."

The observatory noted the installation of about 485 megawatts of photovoltaic solar systems on rooftops in the residential sector, in addition to 130 megawatts on medium and high voltage networks for industrial, service, and agricultural sectors.

Peak electricity demand also recorded a decline of 1%, reaching 3,182 megawatts by the end of May, compared to 3,211 megawatts during the same period in 2025.

Repeated Outages

The announcement of the rise in electricity production comes days after Tunisian President Kais Saied criticized the repeated power outages and their simultaneity in several areas of the country, vowing to "hold the negligent accountable."

Saied said during a visit on Saturday to the Ghdir El Golla water complex in the Mornag area west of the capital Tunis, that "power outages at certain times are abnormal."

He added: "Power outages occur in every country, but for a limited time, not with such frequency and in several areas at the same time."

He vowed, saying: "Responsibility must be taken, and anyone who has breached their responsibility will bear the consequences of their breaches."

According to data from the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas, several areas have been experiencing daily power outages since last Tuesday "as part of maintaining the safety and sustainability of the electrical system."