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Tunis Allows Private Sector to Invest in Renewable Energy

A finished wind turbine complex is shown in southern Wyoming, US on July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Ed Stoddard/File Photo
A finished wind turbine complex is shown in southern Wyoming, US on July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Ed Stoddard/File Photo
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Tunis Allows Private Sector to Invest in Renewable Energy

A finished wind turbine complex is shown in southern Wyoming, US on July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Ed Stoddard/File Photo
A finished wind turbine complex is shown in southern Wyoming, US on July 21, 2009. REUTERS/Ed Stoddard/File Photo

Tunisian authorities have given for the first time a role to the private sector in wind energy production.

The Ministry of Industry and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises granted licenses to four foreign companies producing electricity from wind with a 120 Megawatt generating capacity and an overall investment of 400 million Tunisian dinars.

ABO WIND AG (Germany), UPC Tunisia Renewables (Netherlands) and French LUCIA HOLDING and VSB Energies Nouvelles got their projects approved in principle.

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed said during a ceremony held on the occasion that giving a boost to renewables (solar and wind energy) is a priority for the government.

“The government made considerable efforts in order to develop the legal and organisational aspects of the sector,” he added.

The firms will sell wind power to the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG) at prices ranging between 110 millimes and 135 millimes per kilowatt hour.

Tunisia’s energy deficit represents one third of the overall trade deficit, which has widened to a record level of about 19 billion dinars ($6.33 billion) in 2018 from 15.6 billion in 2017.

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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
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Saudi Non-Oil Exports Hit Two-Year High

The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)
The King Abdulaziz Port in Dammam, eastern Saudi Arabia. (“Mawani” port authority)

Saudi Arabia’s non-oil exports soared to a two-year high in May, reaching SAR 28.89 billion (USD 7.70 billion), marking an 8.2% year-on-year increase compared to May 2023.

On a monthly basis, non-oil exports surged by 26.93% from April.

This growth contributed to Saudi Arabia’s trade surplus, which recorded a year-on-year increase of 12.8%, reaching SAR 34.5 billion (USD 9.1 billion) in May, following 18 months of decline.

The enhancement of the non-oil private sector remains a key focus for Saudi Arabia as it continues its efforts to diversify its economy and reduce reliance on oil revenues.

In 2023, non-oil activities in Saudi Arabia contributed 50% to the country’s real GDP, the highest level ever recorded, according to the Ministry of Economy and Planning’s analysis of data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan emphasized at the “Future Investment Initiative” in October that the Kingdom is now prioritizing the development of the non-oil sector over GDP figures, in line with its Vision 2030 economic diversification plan.

A report by Moody’s highlighted Saudi Arabia’s extensive efforts to transform its economic structure, reduce dependency on oil, and boost non-oil sectors such as industry, tourism, and real estate.

The Saudi General Authority for Statistics’ monthly report on international trade noted a 5.8% growth in merchandise exports in May compared to the same period last year, driven by a 4.9% increase in oil exports, which totaled SAR 75.9 billion in May 2024.

The change reflects movements in global oil prices, while production levels remained steady at under 9 million barrels per day since the OPEC+ alliance began a voluntary reduction in crude supply to maintain prices. Production is set to gradually increase starting in early October.

On a monthly basis, merchandise exports rose by 3.3% from April to May, supported by a 26.9% increase in non-oil exports. This rise was bolstered by a surge in re-exports, which reached SAR 10.2 billion, the highest level for this category since 2017.

The share of oil exports in total exports declined to 72.4% in May from 73% in the same month last year.

Moreover, the value of re-exported goods increased by 33.9% during the same period.