Tunisia’s oil and gas output may be in chronic, seemingly terminal, decline (MEES, 20 December). But at least it’s got the sun. And plenty of it. In a major boost to its fledgling renewables dreams the north African country this week awarded 500MW of solar PV projects to several international heavyweights.

Scatec announced on 17 December it was awarded 300MW of the 500MW launched in May last year (MEES, 21 December 2018). The Norwegian firm – in which state-led giant Equinor on 19 December upped its stake to 15.2% – says it will build a 200MW plant in Tataouine, 50MW in Tozeur and 50MW in Sidi Bouzid (see map). (CONTINUED - 701 WORDS)