Anyone currently traveling to Tunisia should be prepared for increasingly frequent power outages. The German Foreign Office has also updated its travel advisories. The authority warns of possible disruptions.
According to the German Foreign Office, temperatures of up to 47 degrees Celsius are currently possible. The extreme heat is causing a significantly higher load on the Tunisian power grid, the authority reports. The electricity and gas company STEG is therefore resorting to temporary shutdowns. According to the German Foreign Office, these can also occur without prior notice. The notice is listed on the website as of July 24, 2026.
Consumption has likely increased drastically recently, in part due to the use of air conditioners, fans, and the like. The energy provider has recently indicated daily for many regions of Tunisia that temporary power outages may occur in order to ensure the safety and stability of the power grid.
Extreme heat and wildfires
The Tunisian news agency TAP reported on July 23 that the country has been facing extreme temperatures for more than a week. Maximum temperatures in most regions have been above 45 degrees Celsius. This has led not only to power outages but also to fires and water interruptions in numerous parts of the country.
According to Mohamed Naoufel Ben Haha, Director General of Forestry at the Ministry of Agriculture, approximately 4,400 hectares of forest area were destroyed by fires between May 1 and July 23, 2026 alone. In the previous year, it was about 2,705 hectares during the same period. In addition to the extreme heat, the causes of the fires are mainly attributable to human negligence or intentionally set fires.
What the power outages mean for vacations
The recently announced possible power shutdowns are not limited to remote regions. STEG published lists for several days with areas where it was indicated that power could be interrupted. Among others, parts of the greater Tunis area as well as well-known vacation regions such as Hammamet or Zarzis were mentioned.
For travelers, it's not just about the lights temporarily going out in a hotel room or the television not working. Without power, air conditioning systems and ventilation systems may also not function. At temperatures far beyond the 40-degree mark, this can quickly become a physical burden.
In addition, the German Foreign Office considers internet and mobile phone disruptions possible. Water supply could also be affected. The same applies to ATMs. The authority recommends inquiring with the tour guide, the tour operator, or directly at the accommodation about the current situation. Local media and announcements from STEG can also provide information about upcoming shutdowns. The German Foreign Office also advises avoiding direct sunlight during the day and drinking sufficiently. Anyone who needs medication that must be continuously refrigerated should ensure that it can be stored appropriately even during power outages.
Such conditions can be particularly dangerous especially for elderly people, children, and people with pre-existing conditions. Sufficient water supplies should also be ensured if the water supply may be affected. Vacationers should also not rely exclusively on card payments and should additionally save important documents such as booking confirmations or tickets locally on their phone so that they can be accessed even without internet. It would also make sense to charge smartphones and power banks in time.
