Project Description
The Project entails build-own-and-operate (BOO) of a 100MW grid-connected solar power plant in Mezzouna delegation of Sidi Bouzid governorate, c. 260 kilometer south of Tunis and adjacent to the first 50MW grid-connected Sidi Bouzid solar plant being developed jointly by Aeolus SAS and Scatec ASA, also supported by MIGA (click here to learn more about the MIGA guarantees issued to Aeolus SAS for their investments in the 50MW grid-connected Tozeur and Sidi Bouzid 1 solar projects in Tunisia). The Project comprises two main components: (i) a photovoltaic (PV) plant including solar modules, a tracking system, inverter stations, step-up transformer station and associated facilities for power generation; and (ii) a high-voltage (HV) infrastructure consisting of a 12-kilometer 225kV overhead transmission line, a bay extension at the STEG Mezzouna 1 substation, and the upgrade of the existing STEG Meknassy substation — with all HV infrastructure to be transferred to the Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG) upon commercial operation.
The investor has applied for MIGA’s guarantee of up to EUR 14.25 million against the risks of Transfer Restriction, Expropriation, War and Civil Disturbance, and Breach of Contract for a period of up to 20 years.
Environmental Categorization
The Project is classified as Category B under MIGA’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability (2013). Click here for the Project’s Environmental and Social Review Summary
Development Impact
The Project’s main benefits are expected to be: (i) improved affordability through decreasing Tunisia’s average cost of electricity generation; (ii) climate mitigation benefits through GHG emissions avoidance; and (iii) continuing to demonstrate the viability of the IPP approach in Tunisia’s renewable energy sector.
