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UN-Habitat has launched a pioneering waste-to-energy project in Tunisia, converting landfill biogas into clean electricity. The initiative, implemented at the Oued Laya controlled landfill, marks a significant step in addressing the country’s waste management and energy challenges.
Tunisia has been facing a growing waste management crisis, with accumulating waste since 2022 deteriorating air and water quality. Landfill emissions, particularly biomethane, pose severe environmental and health risks. At the same time, Tunisia imports nearly 60 per cent of its electricity, underscoring the need for alternative energy sources.
The new project, implemented in collaboration with national and international partners, utilises a 50 kW micro-cogeneration unit to capture and process landfill biogas. The system generates 60 kWh of electricity daily – enough to supply power to 500 homes annually. If expanded, it has the potential to provide electricity for 22,000 homes each year, reducing dependence on imported energy and lowering greenhouse gas emissions.
Advancing sustainability and energy security
The project demonstrates how waste can be transformed into a valuable energy source, contributing to a circular economy. By mitigating toxic emissions and generating clean electricity, it improves air quality, reduces environmental hazards, and supports sustainable urban development.
The official launch event brought together key stakeholders, including the Japanese Ambassador to Tunisia, representatives from the National Agency for Waste Management (ANGED), the National Agency for Energy Management (ANME), and other partners. Attendees toured the landfill and witnessed the first-ever connection of a biogas unit to Tunisia’s national electricity grid, marking a milestone in the country’s renewable energy transition.
“Transforming waste into renewable energy not only reduces emissions but also establishes a model of resilience and sustainability that can inspire similar efforts across Tunisia and beyond,” said Mr. Majdi Frihi, project lead at UN-Habitat Tunisia.
Japan’s Ambassador to Tunisia, Mr. Takeshi Osuga, highlighted the initiative’s significance: “This project marks Tunisia’s first initiative to convert waste into renewable energy. I am pleased to see the recommendation of the Tunis Declaration from TICAD 8 materializing in collaboration with our trusted partners, including UN-Habitat, the Ministry of Environment, Tunisian Company of Electricity and Gas (STEG), the Governorate of Sousse, and ANGED.”
The waste-to-energy project sets the foundation for similar initiatives across Tunisia, demonstrating the potential of innovative solutions to tackle environmental challenges while advancing clean energy and sustainability.
