As part of the REFAT project, the National Water Distribution Company (SONEDE) has begun installing a 512 kW photovoltaic power plant for pumping drinking water in Chott El Fejij, Gabès, covering an area of ​​8,000 m².

This project, aimed at promoting renewable energy and sustainable water management, is funded by the Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Fisheries and the Italian Ministry of the Environment, Land and Sea, under the patronage of the Italian Embassy in Tunisia, and implemented by MEDREC.

SATER SOLAR SA, leader of the Tunisian-Italian consortium selected to install a 512 kWp photovoltaic power plant under call for tenders No. 01/2019 for the REFAT project, officially launched landscaping work on April 1, 2021, for the plant, which will be located within the SONEDE water pumping station in Chott El Fejij, Gabès.

The implementation of this plant represents an important step towards reducing energy consumption related to water supply for small-scale irrigation and drinking water production in remote areas, and is expected to cover 20% of the pumping station’s energy consumption.