Employment from Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Tunisia - New Insights, New Results

The MENA region is facing economic and social challenges such as creating job opportunities especially for the youth. It also exhibits vast potential for renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) and tapping this potential can create economic benefits and jobs. This paper analyses the economic impacts of RE&EE support for Tunisia. In Tunisia, RE&EE legislation is in force since 2009 with the Tunisian Solar Plan (PST). For the economic impact analysis of the PST, a team of German and Tunisian researchers developed an economic model based on Tunisian statistical data and in sync with the methodology suggested by international agencies such as IRENA or IEA-RETD. The approach is based on Input-Output-Analysis, which allows for an analysis of impacts in different sectors e.g. machinery, metal industry etc. The paper will present the methodology and give an outlook on new results from an ongoing update.