Energy Security Policy in Tunisia: Discourse and Practice

Increasing energy deficit is not a new challenge for Tunisia. The country is dependent on Algerian gas imports and intent to get its oil supplies from Libya. Its historical and social ties with both countries put it in a privileged position when it needs their support. As to other available options, the Tunisian energy security policy was modified to include renewable energy, and it has not spread. Yet changes at the international and regional levels have challenged the status-quo of Tunisian energy security policy. On the other hand, issues related to energy security have become prominent after 2011 in Tunisia. Within the last decade, populist discourse has challenged the official statistics about national energy resources. In this climate of mistrust, social unrest and rejection of foreign energy companies presence led to the departure of some energy investors while production decreased. This situation has eventually pushed Tunisia to look for new markets for its phosphate exports and new partners. As internal and external factors changed, Tunisia is at a turning point. This paper questions the resilience of Tunisian energy security policy as a discourse and practice after 2011.