Tunis, Jan. 29 (TAP)-The energy sector innovation centre known as the "Terna Innovation Zone Tunisia," which fosters the sharing of expertise between the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company (STEG) and the Italian electricity company TERNA, was inaugurated on Wednesday in Tunis.

"This project is part of STEG and TERNA's drive to consolidate innovation in the energy sector," said Secretary of State for Energy Transition Ouael Chouchane.

This new innovation zone will be a platform for sharing experiences between the two companies, and will consolidate innovation in the energy sector in Tunisia by supporting expertise and ideas, Chouchane reaffirmed in a statement to the media at the event to present the Terna Innovation Zone Tunisia.

"It will be a laboratory for ideas and projects," and will have a major role to play in reducing Tunisia's energy deficit, estimated at 59% by the end of 2024," Chouchane pointed out.

This hub will also further consolidate Tunisia's energy security by exchanging electricity with neighbouring countries, including Italy, Algeria and Libya, as part of the ELMED project, which will boost the productivity of the Tunisian network, the minister specified.

Terna Innovation Zone is a corporate social responsibility project that encourages technological innovation and fosters the development of shared skills.

It will help strengthen ties between the two countries and contribute to achieving the objectives of the Mattei Plan for Africa, an initiative launched by the Italian government with the aim of establishing a genuine partnership between Italy and Africa, with reciprocal benefits in the economic, social, environmental and cultural fields, and based on the convergence of national interests.

This is the first innovation centre in Africa to be managed by the Italian group, with the aim of consolidating the strategic partnership between Italy and Tunisia.