Tunis/Tunisia — A 85 kWp solar power plant for self-consumption of the Tunisian cheese factory “Centrale des produits laitiers- SOUANI,” located in Tebourba, 30 km from Tunis, was inaugurated on Thursday, December 9, 2021.
The PV plant, mounted on the roof of the production site of CPL SOUANI, will cover up to 60% of the electricity needs of the cheese factory during the hours of sunshine and reduce its consumption of electricity from the grid by 30% per year, the project partners said in a joint statement Monday.
Its connection to the grid has been postponed until next week due to weather conditions, according to officials.
This Tunisian-German strategic partnership has been established since 2020 between “KRAFTWERK”, which develops and implements customised solar energy solutions for grid-connected and off-grid applications, and the Tunisian company of engineering and installation of turnkey renewable energy projects “SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS” (SES), a leading company on the Tunisian market.
The electricity consumption savings of this factory could go up to 40% and more after a planned extension, said CEO of SES Ali Kanzari. “This project could serve as a good example for industries and private operators, especially those who are still reluctant to invest in renewable energy.”
The German supplier, which has already deployed other systems internationally, chose Tunisia “because it believes in the country and its energy transition,”
Director of New Markets at KRAFTWERK Roman Brinzanik said at the inauguration ceremony held in the presence of Tunisian and German officials and representatives of donors.
The PV is financed by a credit from UIB, a partner bank of the SUNREF Tunisia programme. It should benefit from an investment grant from the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME).
“Tunisia enjoys a strategic location, very close to Germany and European countries. Like Germany, it has decentralised projects at all levels. They range from the smallest projects to large solar parks,” Roman Brinzanik added.
CEO of the Souani group Mohamed Saleh Gahbiche told TAP his company opted for solar energy “because the cheese industry and other activities of his group, including ice cream, cannot afford prolonged power outages, especially since the cost of energy has become exorbitant.”
“We wanted to achieve a certain autonomy of energy and we want to get involved in new and green technology, to ensure a healthy environment and in line with the well-being of our fellow citizens.” According to projections, the PV system installed on the roof of the cheese factory will reduce its CO2 emissions by about 70 tonnes co2eq per year.
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your …….