Tunisia has launched a smart grid pilot in the Moknine region as part of a broader push to modernize its electricity network, improve service reliability and support the country’s energy transition.
The project, led by the state utility Société tunisienne de l’électricité et du gaz (STEG), forms part of a 15-million-dinar (US$5 million) pilot program funded by the United States government to upgrade critical electricity infrastructure.
At the heart of the pilot is the deployment of advanced automation and communications technologies designed to improve outage management and strengthen the resilience of Tunisia’s power distribution system.
“This project is fully aligned with STEG’s strategic vision to modernize the national electricity network and support Tunisia’s energy transition through the deployment of Smart Grid technologies,” STEG Chief Executive Faycel Tarifa said.
A central feature of the Moknine site is the installation of a Fault Location, Isolation and Service Restoration (FLISR) system, a smart grid technology that automatically detects network faults, isolates the affected section and restores service where possible without requiring full manual intervention.
The system was deployed in partnership with U.S. companies E3-International, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, and G&W Electric, according to project officials.
In parallel, Nokia has installed a private LTE (pLTE) communications network to support the operation, enabling real-time visibility across the distribution grid and allowing faster responses to disruptions.
The initiative is part of a wider Smart Grid program that Tunisia has been implementing between 2020 and 2026. The broader effort combines technical studies, workforce training and advanced technology deployment, with the objective of testing systems that could later be expanded across the national network.
The modernization drive comes as Tunisia seeks to improve the performance of its electricity system while preparing for a larger share of renewable energy in its power mix.
STEG remains the dominant player in the country’s electricity sector, accounting for nearly 96% of national electricity production. The utility operates around 25 power plants with a combined installed capacity of approximately 5,944 megawatts.
Authorities see smart grid technologies as essential to improving the efficiency of that system. By automating fault detection and improving visibility across the network, the pilot is expected to help reduce technical losses, improve load management and strengthen service continuity for customers.
The initiative also aligns with Tunisia’s longer-term energy goals. The country aims to raise the share of renewable energy to 35% of electricity generation by 2030, a target that will require a more flexible and digitally managed grid capable of integrating intermittent solar and wind power.
For STEG, the challenge is twofold: reducing inefficiencies in the existing system while adapting the grid to a more complex and decentralized energy landscape.
Over time, the utility expects the modernization effort to improve customer service as well. Smart grid technologies are expected to support the gradual rollout of smart meters, which would allow more accurate consumption tracking, better billing based on actual use, and improved communication between the utility and end users.
If successful, the Moknine pilot could serve as a model for a wider transformation of Tunisia’s electricity distribution system, offering a pathway toward a more reliable, efficient and digitally connected grid.
