Tunisia is experiencing nationwide rolling power outages after an unprecedented heat wave drove electricity demand to record levels [1, 2].
The energy crisis threatens the stability of the national grid and impacts both residents and the tourism sector during the peak summer season. As air-conditioning use surged to combat extreme temperatures, the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) struggled to maintain a steady supply of power [1, 5].
The heat wave began in June 2026 [4], with temperatures peaking at 49°C [3]. This spike in heat led to an excessive reliance on cooling systems, which overwhelmed the infrastructure and forced the utility provider to implement rotating outages to prevent a total grid collapse [1, 5].
President Kaïs Saïed addressed the crisis, describing the failures as an "abnormal situation" [1]. The outages have extended to tourist resorts, leaving international visitors without reliable electricity. One Belgian tourist reported the danger of the heat, saying, "We risk a cardiac arrest" [6].
STEG officials said that the current instability is a catalyst for systemic change. A spokesperson for the utility said that the rolling cuts are pushing Tunisia to accelerate its energy transition [5]. The government is now facing pressure to modernize the grid, and diversify energy sources to withstand future climatic extremes.
While the domestic crisis persists, the Tunisian government continues to evaluate the failures of the national utility. The intersection of record-breaking weather and aging infrastructure has left the country vulnerable to repeated disruptions throughout the summer months [1, 2, 3].
“"Défaillances… situation anormale"”
The crisis illustrates the growing vulnerability of North African energy infrastructure to climate change. By reaching a breaking point at 49°C, Tunisia's grid has demonstrated that current capacity cannot support the increasing demand for cooling during extreme heat events, making a transition to renewable energy a matter of national security rather than just environmental policy.
