Tunisia’s President Dismisses Energy Minister Amid Renewable Energy Controversy
On Tuesday, Tunisian President Kais Saied removed Fatma Thabet from her post as energy and trade minister, a move announced in a brief presidency statement that offered no explanation for the dismissal. The decision comes just before a parliamentary session set to review a suite of draft laws governing renewable‑energy concessions to foreign investors.
Background on the Draft Laws
The proposed legislation would allow foreign companies to develop solar‑panel installations and use the electricity they generate for up to 30 years — an initial 20‑year term renewable once for an additional decade. During the first five years, the generated power would be exempt from taxation, after which it would be sold to the state‑owned utility Société Tunisienne de l’Électricité et du Gaz (STEG).
Critics, including the influential Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), argue that the arrangement risks creating a new form of “energy colonization” by locking the country into long‑term dependence on external actors. In a statement released the same day as the minister’s firing, the UGTT warned that the draft laws would “perpetuate dependency [on foreign countries] and weaken national sovereignty,” and urged the government to pursue “fair and equal partnerships” with STEG.
Government’s Rationale and Investment Plans
Officials defending the bills say they are essential for strengthening Tunisia’s energy independence, securing supply, and lowering electricity production costs. Currently, Tunisia imports the majority of its energy needs, a situation that strains the national budget through subsidies for fuel, electricity, and gas.
According to the Secretary of State for Energy Transition, Wael Chouchane, renewable sources accounted for roughly 9 % of the national grid in April 2024, with an official target of reaching 35 % by 2030. To help meet that goal, the government recently unveiled investment projects worth nearly US $600 million aimed at installing solar panels with a combined capacity of 600 megawatts (MW). That amount equals about a quarter of the country’s annual electricity consumption and is slated for deployment in underserved regions of central and southern Tunisia, where sunshine is abundant but economic activity remains limited.
Opposition from Unions and Lawmakers
The UGTT’s condemnation was echoed by several members of parliament. MP Bilel El Mechri, who has previously described similar agreements as “energy colonization,” welcomed the minister’s dismissal and called for her to be “put on trial for undermining national sovereignty.” Other lawmakers have expressed concern that the tax‑holiday period could deprive the treasury of needed revenue while transferring strategic assets to foreign entities.
In response to the backlash, the presidency announced that Housing Minister Salah Eddine Zouari would assume the energy and trade portfolio on an interim basis until a permanent replacement is appointed.
Implications for Tunisia’s Energy Future
The firing of Fatma Thabet highlights the growing tension between Tunisia’s push for rapid renewable‑energy expansion and domestic worries about sovereignty and fiscal responsibility. While the government frames the foreign‑concession model as a pragmatic way to attract capital and technology, unions and certain legislators warn that without stronger safeguards — such as equity sharing, local‑content requirements, or stricter oversight — the country could trade short‑term gains for long‑term vulnerability.
As parliament prepares to debate the draft laws, observers will be watching closely to see whether amendments are introduced to address the UGTT’s calls for “fair and equal partnerships,” or whether the current framework will move forward unchanged. The outcome will likely shape not only Tunisia’s renewable‑energy trajectory but also its broader economic policy direction in the coming years.
