In the context of energy transition, the development of clean energy in the EU has accelerated. The EU plans to host an investment forum in autumn 2023 to bring more private investment to Tunisia's renewable energy sector, including hydrogen.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU was also signing a memorandum of understanding with Tunisia on renewable energy. She added: "The biggest area of investment we see is energy. Energy is a win-win area. Tunisia is looking to capitalize on its vast renewable energy potential. And the EU needs reliable suppliers of clean energy as we electrify our entire economy. So we need to invest in infrastructure so that Tunisia can export clean energy to Europe."

It is understood that the EU is investing more than 300 million euros in the ELMED Interconnector, a submarine cable connecting Tunisia and Italy.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) said Tunisia's strategic geographic location, vast renewable energy potential and stable political situation are "excellent conditions" for the country to become a green hydrogen producer, both for the internal and external markets.

Green hydrogen production could help decarbonize Tunisia's metallurgical, ceramic and glass industries; And create new sustainable industries, such as green ammonia-based fertilizers.

The current gas corridor linking North Africa and southern Europe could be converted to transport large quantities of cost-competitive green hydrogen from Tunisia to Central Europe via Italy. Developer TuNur plans to achieve 12GW of installed capacity by 2030, aiming to develop green hydrogen and its derivatives in Tunisia for local consumption and long-term export.

Italy's Gas infrastructure operator Snam, Austria's Trans-Austrian Gas Pipeline (TAG) and Gas Connect Austria(GCA) and Germany's bayernets have formed a partnership to develop the SoutH2 Corridor, A pipeline corridor connecting North Africa to Central Europe that can be used for hydrogen allows renewable hydrogen produced in the Southern Mediterranean to reach European consumers. The corridor, which imports more than 4 million tonnes/year of hydrogen from North Africa, could provide 40% of REPowerEU's import target.

Malta, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain recently signed a joint declaration at the Med9 conference in Valletta to advance the renewable energy hub development plan. Editor/Xu Shengpeng