U.S. Ambassador Joey Hood joined senior officials from UTICA, CONECT, TGBC, CSPV, AMEN Bank, and FTH today at the Mövenpick Gammarth Hotel in Tunis, in Tunisia, to present the Power Tunisia program funded by the US government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Power Tunisia is a new five-year program designed to help Tunisian manufacturers, building managers, project developers, system installers and the banking community finance and adopt clean energy technologies and solutions to unlock the potential solar and wind power in the country. Power Tunisia will contribute to strengthening the performance of the Tunisian energy sector, diversifying and securing energy supply, as well as promoting pilot projects and advanced technological partnerships. Its ultimate objective is to reduce CO2 emissions through the installation of new renewable energy production capacities or the adoption of energy efficiency solutions in company facilities.
Through its efforts, Power Tunisia aims to support nearly 2,000 Tunisian companies and mobilize US$40 million for clean energy investments in Tunisia, focusing on promoting renewable energy projects, boosting innovation and accelerating the transition to clean and environmentally friendly energy sources. The program also aims to increase the country’s clean energy generation capacity by 70 megawatts, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and creating new green jobs.
During his speech, Ambassador Hood highlighted the transformative power of renewable energy and energy efficiency in Tunisia’s transition to a green and sustainable economy, making Tunisian businesses more competitive and profitable. He highlighted the essential role of renewable energy and energy efficiency in reducing dependence on traditional fossil fuels and promoting environmentally friendly practices. Ambassador Hood highlighted the importance of energy efficiency, urging manufacturers and building managers to adopt responsible and innovative approaches to maximize efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions.
Mr. Craig VanDevelde, Project Manager of Power Tunisia, also took the floor to highlight the essential role of NGOs, financial institutions, experts, associations, international donors and development banks in the fight against energy challenges. and environmental issues in Tunisia. Mr. VanDevelde highlighted the program’s commitment to fostering strong partnerships and harnessing collective efforts to generate lasting change in Tunisia’s energy sector.
At the end of the seminar, hotels, commercial enterprises and industries were invited to submit their requests for assistance for the development of renewable energy projects via the dedicated USAID Power Tunisia program portal: www.powertunisia.com.
