Malta’s strategic position in the Mediterranean can become pivotal to enable a corridor of renewable energy from North Africa to the European continent.

TuNur is pleased to see Malta’s ambitions for Malta and the Mediterranean to become an energy hub by enhancing cooperation with North African countries through new energy infrastructure and cross border trade, as stated by Dr Miriam Dalli, Minister for Environment, Energy and Enterprise during her article in the Times of Malta, ahead of the EU MED-9 Summit, currently being held in Malta.

“Malta’s strategic position in the Mediterranean can become pivotal to enable a corridor of renewable energy to the European continent, transforming Malta from an energy taker to a bridge of renewable energy generated offshore and in the neighbouring non-EU Mediterranean countries to the European continent.

In this sense, Malta can foster collaboration between the Mediterranean countries to enable our region to become a centre for environmentally sustainable energy facilitating the deployment of offshore renewable energy solutions and integration of green energy generated in North Africa to the entire European Union.

In our vision, Malta can become a catalyst to enable a concentration of green energy solutions in the area. With the installation of more subsea interconnections between the North African region and mainland EU, a robust link can be created along the Mediterranean corridor to enable more renewables.”

TuNur has long believed in the opportunities such cooperation can create for both sides of the Mediterranean and continues to advance its concrete projects in the region to deliver sustainable, reliable green energy to both Tunisia and Europe, providing access to new sources of clean energy, creating jobs, and facilitating new investments in region.

Please find here the full article written by the Minister in the Times of Malta:

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/med9-enabling-renewables-miriam-dalli.1032152

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Nine European countries agree to work toward making the Mediterranean region into renewable energy hub and enhance collaboration with countries in North Africa

During the EU MED-9 Summit being held in Malta, Malta and eight other European countries agreed on Thursday to work toward turning the region into a hub for renewable energy.

Malta, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain signed a joint statement at the end of their EU Med9 meeting in Valletta, in the presence of European Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson.

Through the declaration, they confirmed their commitment “to ensure continuous efforts to improve energy security, energy affordability and to accelerate the transition towards renewable energy.”

Energy Minister Miriam Dalli told a concluding press conference that the vision was to replicate in the Mediterranean the success already achieved in the North Sea when it comes to offshore renewable energy deployment.

They also agreed to invite the EU Commission to explore options for reinforced funding for interconnections between EU and non-EU Mediterranean countries.

Answering questions, Dalli said that having the European Union collaborate with North African countries on energy renewables could be a catalyst in helping maintain stability and peace in the region.

She urged the commission to help accelerate close cooperation among member states and to facilitate the development of new partnerships with other regions. “Cooperation with North Africa will play a vital role in accelerating the deployment of renewables in the EU,” she said.

Please find here the full article:

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-excited-prospect-mediterranean-becoming-hub-renewable-energy.1032296

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Energy ministries of Italy, Germany, and Austria sign letter of support for SoutH2 Corridor

The ministries for Energy of Italy, Austria and Germany  have signed a joint letter of political support for the development of a “southern hydrogen corridor” in the European Union and for the respective infrastructure projects to obtain the status of Project of Common Interest (PCI).

Snam, Italy’s gas infrastructure operator, Trans Austria Gasleitung (TAG) and Gas Connect Austria (GCA) in Austria and bayernets in Germany have formed a partnership to develop the SoutH2 Corridor, a hydrogen-ready pipeline corridor connecting North Africa to central Europe and enabling renewable hydrogen produced in the Southern Mediterranean to reach European consumers.

The southern hydrogen corridor (also called “SoutH2 Corridor”) is a 3.300 km dedicated hydrogen-ready pipeline corridor part of the European Hydrogen Backbone. Its development will guarantee security of supply and is crucial for the creation of an interconnected and diversified hydrogen backbone. Furthermore, with a hydrogen import capacity of more than 4 Mtpa (Million tonnes per annum) from North Africa, the corridor could deliver 40% of the REPowerEU import target.

The SoutH2 Corridor is expected to be fully operational as early as 2030.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/snam-s-p-a-_energy-ministries-of-italy-germany-and-austria-activity-7062085167095439360-VSks/

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The prime minister supervised a ministerial council to consider the energy sector strategy on the horizon of 2035

The Prime Minister Mrs. Najla Bouden presided on March 22nd, 2023, at the government palace, a ministerial council to consider the energy sector strategy on the horizon of the year 2035.

This strategy, which was formulated within the framework of a participatory approach between all the involved parties, aims to ensure the supply of safe energy for all and to develop practical measures that will enable the achievement of the goals set in the energy mix, especially the production of electricity from renewable energies, in addition to achieving carbon neutrality for the National economy by 2050.

The Tunisian energy strategy on the horizon of the year 2035 also took into account the commitments of the Tunisian state in the medium and long term, in line with the Paris Agreement on climate change, and is based on a vision that combines energy, climate, economy and society.

During this session, special programs related to energy efficiency and sobriety were discussed by reviewing the regulatory framework for energy efficiency and the interventions of the Energy Transition Fund, in addition to presenting a roadmap for developing the production of green hydrogen and its derivatives in Tunisia.

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Strengthening partnership with the European Union in various fields related to industry, energy, and renewable energies

The Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Mrs. Neila Nouira Gonji, received the Director of Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy of the European Commission, Mr. Gerl Jan Koopman, who was on a working visit to Tunisia accompanying with a high-level delegation, on Tuesday evening, March 21st, at the Ministry’s headquarters.

The meeting, which was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union to Tunisia, Mr. Marcos Cornaro, was an opportunity to discuss ways of cooperation and partnership with the European Union, especially in the sectors of electricity transmission, energy and renewable energies. The level of progress in the completion of the electrical interconnection project between Tunisia and Italy “ELMED” was also discussed.

The minister noted the strength of Tunisian-European relations, rooted for decades, and the role of the union in supporting the national economy, stressing the availability of capabilities, competencies and specialized manpower, as well as the technological and energy infrastructure necessary to establish major projects in our country, especially in the fields of electricity transmission and the production of renewable energies.

She reviewed the national program for the promotion of renewable energies aimed at producing 35% of electricity from renewable energies by the year 2030, noting the launch of tenders related to the production of 1,700 MW of electricity from solar photovoltaic energy within the framework of the concession regime.

It has also been reported that studies have been launched to achieve a centre of excellence in renewable energies in the field of training and research in southern Tunisia, with the aim of training executives at the national and African levels and accompanying energy transition projects.

For his end, Mr. Gerl Jan Koopman affirmed that the partnership with Tunisia is profitable for both parties. He also expressed the European Union’s readiness to develop bilateral cooperation in the field of green hydrogen and to support and train the specialized workforce of engineers and executives in various specializations under the Ministry’s consideration.

https://www.facebook.com/100057595323425/posts/pfbid022YEd9zDq5tqPhdtiNqqsqTA6qfDmEY19fi4LXpL7XWSWpKpqAGKmbQAwJEEU9Lecl/?sfnsn=mo&mibextid=6aamW6

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Tunisia’s National Green hydrogen roadmap to be ready by mid-March 2023, according to the German Development Agency « GIZ »

According to the article released by www.zawya.com on 24/02/2023, the Tunisia’s National roadmap on green hydrogen, which will present Tunisia’s strategic guidelines in this field, should be ready by mid-March 2023, said project coordinator at the German Cooperation in Tunisia (GIZ) Dorra Chida.

Once this roadmap is defined, the national strategy on green hydrogen will be drawn up with a clear action plan in relation to the activities planned to achieve the objectives.

The national strategy is part of the project «Green hydrogen for sustainable growth and a low-carbon economy in Tunisia” (H2Vert.TUN) launched in February 2022, and which will stretch until January 2025.

It is a €6 million partnership between the German cooperation in Tunisia and the Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy. This project targets three aspects: 1. National strategy for hydrogen (i.e. target capacities, focus sectors and roadmap) 2. Green H2 economy (i.e. electrolysers and parts manufacturing…) 3. Developing research, training, and innovation in the green hydrogen field.

Chida also revealed that the steering committee, created within the framework of this project to monitor all the activities related to green hydrogen in Tunisia, has already identified the sectors of activities that could encourage investors to develop projects in the country.

The committee has already carried out feasibility studies and identified sites with economic potential for production, while meeting the requirements related to the environmental and social aspects. They are also working on the creation of an observatory, or a monitoring structure, because hydrogen is a new growth niche, particularly in terms of the development of new technologies, as per Chida.

This monitoring structure will present to the government and Tunisians all novelties related to green hydrogen and will share information on Tunisia’s achievements in this field.

Tunisia already has a regulatory framework governing renewable energy, which should be adapted to the green hydrogen sector because it’s important to have a clear legal and investment framework.

Consultations on the green hydrogen sector will continue with several states, particularly with Chile, one of the leading countries in this field and discussions with the European Union to identify funding will be soon started.

https://www-zawya-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.zawya.com/en/world/africa/tunisia-national-green-hydrogen-roadmap-to-be-ready-by-mid-march-2023-yfnl20vj?amp=1

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TuNur sponsor’s the Junior Chamber International (“JCI”) event to promote skills and learnings for young entrepreneurs.

The Junior Chamber International (JCI) of Jedaida organized an innovative edition of “The Academy of Officers of Zone A” on February 11 and 12, 2023 in Hammamet, Tunisia.

This edition was organized to allow members of local offices to acquire a multitude of skills to become exemplary young active citizens, to create an impact on local communities and to prepare these young people for new responsibilities by giving them the means and assets of leadership.

TuNur was a proud sponsor of the event and is committed to supporting young and ambitious entrepreneurs, and to encourage the next generation to find innovative solutions and businesses solutions to combat climate change at a local community and global level.

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Italy to use EU funds to become energy hub for Europe

Italy intends to use funds coming from the European Union under the so-called REPowerEU plan to completely wean itself off Russian gas and turn the country into energy hub for the bloc as per The Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni who met with relevant ministers and the CEOs of energy groups Eni (ENI.MI), Enel (ENEI.MI), Snam (SRG.MI) and Terna (TRN.MI) to mention the need to cooperate with Africa on energy supplies.

With total funds close to 300 billion euros, the REPowerEU plan is aimed at ending the EU’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels and tackling the climate crisis.

Money coming from the RePowerEU could also be devoted to build the so-called SoutH2 Corridor, a link to bring hydrogen that would be produced in northern Africa to northern Europe, one source with knowledge of the matter said.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/italy-use-eu-funds-become-energy-hub-europe-meloni-says-2023-02-06/

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Africa likely to be EU’s most important renewable energy partner

“The continent of Africa is probably going to be the most important partner for Europe in terms of developing the renewable energy sector,” said Frans Timmermans, EU Climate Chief during an interview at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) assembly in Abu Dhabi.

While Europe is growing its domestic renewable energy production, it will also need to look beyond its borders to secure the levels it needs. To help fill the gap, many in the EU are looking to Africa, where there is a high potential for renewable energy production, in particular solar power.

Timmermans point to potential partnerships with the wider Mediterranean and North Africa.

There are already several venues for collaborations between the EU and Africa regarding renewables, including the EU-Africa energy partnership, which looks to increase access to affordable and sustainable energy services, support renewable energy investments and promote energy efficiency on the continent.

The EU needs to strengthen its relationship with North African countries, which have similar geographical and climate conditions to much of southern Europe.

https://www.euractiv.com/section/energy-environment/news/timmermans-africa-likely-to-be-eus-most-important-renewable-energy-partner/

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Tunisia launches new tenders for Renewable Energy

Tunisia’s Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy launched on the 23rd of December 2022 a new tender to deploy a total estimated capacity of 1.7 GW of solar and wind from 2023 to 2025 under the RE Independent Power Projects (IPPs).

For the solar PV projects, the Tunisian authorities are seeking proposals to build solar plants with total capacity of 800 MW to be tendered across four equal rounds of 200 MW each. The deadline to submit project proposals for the first round has been set for June 15, 2023. For the fourth and final round, the submission date has been set for an unspecified date in September 2025. Developers will be responsible for identifying and securing land for the projects.

Two other Solar PV projects will be installed on state-owned lands located respectively, in Hecha, in Gabes governorate (300 Ha) and Khobna, in Sidi Bouzid Governorate (270 Ha). The total capacity of these two projects still needs to be confirmed. Interested developers have, until May 18, to submit their proposals.

For the Wind projects, it would consist of a total capacity of 600 MW to be tendered across four equal rounds of 150 MW each. The deadline to submit project proposals for the first round has been set for September 14, 2023. For the fourth and final round, the submission date has been set for an unspecified date in November 2025. Developers bears the primary responsibility to procure the land on which the project will be installed.

https://www.energiemines.gov.tn/fr/tc/actualites/news/appels-doffres-dans-le-cadre-du-programme-national-de-developpement-des-energies-renouvelables-1/?tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=8ac32026e52b775cea90c2debba07919

 

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