The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is reviewing a €19mn ($20.08mn) financing proposal for French company Qair, for the construction of a 100-megawatt solar power plant in the Gafsa region, southwestern Tunisia. The project falls under a concession agreement signed in March with the Société tunisienne de l’électricité et du gaz (STEG), backed by a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
Total investment of €84mn supported by European instruments
The total investment is estimated at €84mn ($88.82mn), with €3mn ($3.17mn) provided by the European Neighbourhood Investment Platform (EU NIP) for the construction of the power evacuation line. The project is also backed by a first-loss guarantee under the EFSD+ Hi-Bar mechanism of the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus. This support aims to mitigate perceived risks for private investors in large-scale energy infrastructure.
Project awarded under large-scale installation concession regime
Awarded through the concession regime for large installations, the project aligns with Tunisia’s national energy strategy, which targets 35% renewable electricity generation by 2030. Qair, already partnered with the EBRD on two 10 MW projects in Feriana and Tozeur, is scaling up its presence in the country with a tenfold increase in capacity.
Qair accelerates regional presence across Africa in 2025
The year 2025 marks a significant regional expansion for Qair across Africa. The company launched a floating solar plant in the Seychelles, secured funding for a solar-plus-storage facility in Mauritius, broke ground on two hybrid plants in Chad, and obtained permits for solar and wind projects in Morocco. This consistent execution supported by structured partnerships strengthens its credibility among international lenders and financial institutions.
