Renewable energy production projects with a capacity of 1700 megawatts (MW) are still in the bidding phase and their contracts will be submitted to the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) as soon as they are finalised, said Chief of Staff of the Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Ahlem Syeb. Responding to MPs' questions during Saturday's plenary session on the budget for the Ministry of Industry's mission, Sayeb pointed out that the production cost of renewable energy is lower than that of gas, adding that renewable energy will save TND 800 million. On power cuts, Sayeb said that the Tunisian Electricity and Gas Company. (STEG) was working to repair power cuts in its 13,000-kilometre network, noting that STEG had 13,000 employees and 4.3 million customers. At the end of the debates, the Assembly of People's Representatives approved the budget for the Industry, Mines and Energy, included in the 2024 State Budget, with 99 votes in favour, 16 abstentions and four votes against. Source: Agence Tunis Afrique Presse