Tunisia's STEG announces load‑shedding as UGTT calls for utility rescue program

The General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) warned that Tunisia’s water and electricity sectors are in crisis, blaming ageing infrastructure, delayed projects and insufficient funding. The union demanded a national rescue programme to revive investment, modernise assets, complete stalled works, improve governance and reinforce human resources, emphasizing that the current disruptions are due to structural failures rather than the performance of STEG and Sonede staff.

In response, the state electricity company STEG said it may implement rotating power cuts tonight (17 July 2026) between 17:00 and 21:00 if needed to maintain grid stability. The preventive load‑shedding would affect dozens of towns across the Greater Tunis area, Nabeul, Zaghouan, Bizerte, the north‑west, the centre, Sfax, Kébili, Gabès, Tataouine, Zarzis, Djerba, Ben Guerdane, Médenine and the centre‑west regions.