Tunisia Grapples with Nationwide Power Cuts Amid Record Heat

Temperatures across Tunisia surged to 49 °C in Kairouan and 47 °C in Tunis, pushing electricity demand to a historic 6 000 MW. The state electricity company STEG responded with rotating load‑shedding (délestage) affecting the Grand Tunis area and numerous towns, with outages lasting from one to several hours.

The power crisis sparked public anger and protests, particularly in the Nabeul governorate, where residents blocked roads to demand restoration of water and electricity supplies. President Kaïs Saïed convened a meeting with interior, energy and water ministers, STEG and SONEDE heads, condemning the “out‑of‑norm” interruptions and ordering that citizens be warned in advance of any scheduled cuts.

Industrial groups, including the Tunisian Federation of Textiles and Clothing, criticized STEG’s erratic communication and called for a dedicated information channel and prioritized treatment of critical factories. The hospitality sector received a request from STEG to curb consumption during peak hours. STEG also announced that households with photovoltaic panels may install hybrid battery storage, though the cost—about 20 000 dinars for a 3 kW system—raises affordability concerns.

Medical professionals warned that the heat wave and electricity outages have already contributed to an estimated 150‑200 excess deaths in hospitals. The compounded energy, health and economic pressures underline the severity of Tunisia’s current crisis.