Isabel Schäfer: "The renewable energy sector could create between 7,000 and 20,000 jobs in Tunisia"
16 February 2015
Read by 1761 persons
German political science researcher at the University of Berlin, Isabel Schäfer, conducted a study on the topic "Clean energy and youth unemployment in the Maghreb". According to her, the renewable energy sector could bring between 7,000 and 20,000 jobs to Tunisia by 2030.
"It's an interesting sector for Tunisia"
Isabel Schäfer was a guest on Tuesday, January 27, at the African Development Bank, which has just started a series of policy notes on North Africa. She presented a study, based on expert interviews, documentation from the Tunisian Ministry of Environment, and the work of several international organizations (the United Nations Environment Programme, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the International Labour Organization, the German Society for International Cooperation).
Her conclusions:
Renewable energies can create jobs in Tunisia. It is an interesting sector for the country. It could create between 7,000 and 20,000 jobs by 2030. Direct but also indirect jobs, in the medium and long term. In general, these are sustainable jobs.
What was her basis for this conclusion?
First, she notes in her study that "the Maghreb has one of the highest potentials in terms of solar energy in the world". Taking the example of Tunisia, from north to south, the country has 2700 to 3600 hours of sunshine per year, recalls the French embassy. Compared to less than 1800 hours in Paris.
In addition, the renewable energy sector offers a wide variety of new jobs and training. Some examples are given in her study, which cover areas such as commerce, research, and mechanics: installation of photovoltaic panels, maintenance of solar panels, renewable energy project manager, researcher and scientist in renewable energies.
Tunisia's dependence on gas and oil
Another point, "energy demand has increased by 50% in the last decade," underlines Isabel Schäfer. In 2013, following a national debate on the energy strategy to 2030, the Ministry of Industry had indeed noted that Tunisia was facing "ever-increasing energy demand." And even worried about "insurmountable challenges" regarding the security of the country's energy supply, the evolution of compensation and energy insecurity.
The problem: Tunisia is energetically dependent on gas and oil imports. For example, in 2013, this same report from the Ministry of Industry established that 60% of petroleum products are ensured by imports and 47% of natural gas needs by the import of Algerian gas.
In addition to providing jobs, Isabel Schäfer points out that renewable energies would be a way for Maghreb countries to be "independent". Subsequently, they could even be supplied to European and African markets.
On the other hand, the researcher notes that obstacles prevent a greater development of these renewable energies in the Maghreb. She cites the "lack of investment," "the dominance of the oil and gas industries," or "the lack of will and motivation."
Nevertheless, projects and partnerships are underway. Tunisia has initiated a Tunisian solar plan, also called PST, within the framework of the Mediterranean solar plan. It provides for, by 2016, an electricity production of wind and solar origin of 1000 megawatts, and by 2030, of 4700 megawatts. Compared to 218 megawatts achieved in 2012, according to the National Agency for Energy Management.
Finally, since January 2013, the Ministry of Industry has begun Tunisian-German cooperation in the field of renewable energies. The head of government Mehdi Jomaa received a German parliamentary delegation last January on this subject and reaffirmed:
Renewable energies will be a privileged axis of Tunisia's development and cooperation with Germany.
But everything remains to be done, in a country where these green energies still represent only 1% of energy production, according to Isabel Schäfer's study.
Caroline MALCZUK.
Webdo.tn
Published January 29, 2015.
Posted online February 16, 2015.
"It's an interesting sector for Tunisia"
Isabel Schäfer was a guest on Tuesday, January 27, at the African Development Bank, which has just started a series of policy notes on North Africa. She presented a study, based on expert interviews, documentation from the Tunisian Ministry of Environment, and the work of several international organizations (the United Nations Environment Programme, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the International Labour Organization, the German Society for International Cooperation).
Her conclusions:
Renewable energies can create jobs in Tunisia. It is an interesting sector for the country. It could create between 7,000 and 20,000 jobs by 2030. Direct but also indirect jobs, in the medium and long term. In general, these are sustainable jobs.
What was her basis for this conclusion?
First, she notes in her study that "the Maghreb has one of the highest potentials in terms of solar energy in the world". Taking the example of Tunisia, from north to south, the country has 2700 to 3600 hours of sunshine per year, recalls the French embassy. Compared to less than 1800 hours in Paris.
In addition, the renewable energy sector offers a wide variety of new jobs and training. Some examples are given in her study, which cover areas such as commerce, research, and mechanics: installation of photovoltaic panels, maintenance of solar panels, renewable energy project manager, researcher and scientist in renewable energies.
Tunisia's dependence on gas and oil
Another point, "energy demand has increased by 50% in the last decade," underlines Isabel Schäfer. In 2013, following a national debate on the energy strategy to 2030, the Ministry of Industry had indeed noted that Tunisia was facing "ever-increasing energy demand." And even worried about "insurmountable challenges" regarding the security of the country's energy supply, the evolution of compensation and energy insecurity.
The problem: Tunisia is energetically dependent on gas and oil imports. For example, in 2013, this same report from the Ministry of Industry established that 60% of petroleum products are ensured by imports and 47% of natural gas needs by the import of Algerian gas.
In addition to providing jobs, Isabel Schäfer points out that renewable energies would be a way for Maghreb countries to be "independent". Subsequently, they could even be supplied to European and African markets.
On the other hand, the researcher notes that obstacles prevent a greater development of these renewable energies in the Maghreb. She cites the "lack of investment," "the dominance of the oil and gas industries," or "the lack of will and motivation."
Nevertheless, projects and partnerships are underway. Tunisia has initiated a Tunisian solar plan, also called PST, within the framework of the Mediterranean solar plan. It provides for, by 2016, an electricity production of wind and solar origin of 1000 megawatts, and by 2030, of 4700 megawatts. Compared to 218 megawatts achieved in 2012, according to the National Agency for Energy Management.
Finally, since January 2013, the Ministry of Industry has begun Tunisian-German cooperation in the field of renewable energies. The head of government Mehdi Jomaa received a German parliamentary delegation last January on this subject and reaffirmed:
Renewable energies will be a privileged axis of Tunisia's development and cooperation with Germany.
But everything remains to be done, in a country where these green energies still represent only 1% of energy production, according to Isabel Schäfer's study.
Caroline MALCZUK.
Webdo.tn
Published January 29, 2015.
Posted online February 16, 2015.
