Press Conference Report REFA & SITE Forum 2024
On the sidelines of the REFA/SITE 2024 Forum, a press conference was held on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at the Hotel LAICO to announce the 3rd edition of this forum, organized jointly by CSPV, AFSIA, and MESIA in partnership with SPE, taking place on November 6-7, 2024, at the RAMADA PLAZA Hotel in Gammarth, Tunisia.
During the press conference, organizers highlighted that the event is expected to attract over 1,000 visitors and 100 exhibitors from the Tunisian and global electrical industry to showcase their latest innovations in photovoltaic energy, energy storage, green hydrogen production and transport, and electric mobility.
The forum aims to develop and boost investments in renewable energy in Africa and the MENA region, promoting financing and innovation opportunities.
Mr. KANZARI stated that the goal of the forum is to integrate renewable energies into the national grid of STEG to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and lower Tunisia's carbon footprint. He mentioned that smart grids, energy storage in BESS batteries, “STEP” dams, and interconnection with Europe will play a key role in this transformation, allowing for more efficient and flexible management of electricity supply and demand.
The executive director of AFSIA, John, emphasized Tunisia's ambitious program, noting that Africa needs to invest approximately $70 billion per year in renewable energies to achieve its 50% target by 2030.
At the end of the press conference, Mr. KANZARI indicated that the forum will provide networking opportunities, showcase the latest advancements in renewable energies and green transition, and foster win-win partnerships with countries on the continent.
Abdelhamid KHALFALLAH, representing the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy, recalled the National Renewable Energy Strategy for 2020/2035, improvements to the ongoing renewable energy code, which includes green hydrogen production, and the feed-in tariff currently being enacted for the authorization regime.
At the end of this conference, Mr. Liong HONG, Deputy General Director of Huawei, as a strategic partner of the forum, expressed Huawei's readiness to support Tunisia's energy transition.