Low Carbon, Nur Energie partner to build 2GW solar project in Tunisia

Low Carbon and Nur Energie have entered into a partnership to jointly develop the 2GW TuNur solar export project in the Tunisian Sahara.

Developers have so far completed most of the project’s feasibility and preliminary licencing including an offer of a 2GW grid connection solution from the Italian grid operator, Terna, for an interconnection point in the country.

The project is now entering into the next phase of permitting and development.

Construction on the project will commence by the end of 2016 with planned completion by late 2018.

The energy generated from the project will be transmitted to Europe by a submarine cable to Italy and other countries such as the UK via the existing grid network.

The project, which has the ability to produce electricity when the sun is down, will generate enough energy for over 2.5 million homes in the UK.

Low Carbon chief executive officer Roy Bedlow said: "With the right level of investment, large scale renewable projects such as TuNur can be very competitive in the energy market and demonstrates that renewables make business sense.

"By harnessing the power of the sun, we can challenge other means of energy generation such as nuclear power or burning fossil fuels, which have multiple, long-term negative effects. Large scale solar projects, in Europe and Africa are a vital part of diversifying and securing Europe’s energy supply, while creating a low carbon economy."

Low Carbon has recently increased its stake in Nur Energie to become one of the company’s largest shareholders.