From 17 to 19 November, U4E delivered a three-day technical lighting training in Hammamet, Tunisia, bringing together 37 government officers and technical professionals from key national institutions. The workshop marked an important step as the country prepares to implement new Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and labelling requirements for lighting. 

This activity was implemented under the GEF project “Leapfrogging Tunisia’s Lighting Market to High-Efficiency Technologies,” which aimed to promote the rapid transformation of the Tunisian market toward energy-efficient lighting technologies, thereby reducing electricity demand and associated greenhouse gas emissions. The project encompassed key elements of the market transformation pathway, including the deployment of regulatory mechanisms such as MEPS and energy labeling, the development of supporting policies, the strengthening of monitoring, verification, and enforcement capacities, and the establishment of frameworks for environmentally sound management. 

The training was led by U4E´s Lighting Expert, PhD Bruno Lafitte, who guided participants through a comprehensive programme combining theory, practical demonstrations and hands-on exercises. Over the three days, attendees explored key lighting concepts—such as luminous flux, colour temperature, efficiency and visual comfort—and deepened their understanding of both indoor and public lighting to effectively design, select, evaluate, and install lighting fixtures. 

As Tunisia proceeds with the formal approval and enforcement of the MEPS and label through a Ministerial decree that translates the regulation into law, sessions also introduced the technical foundations of Tunisia’s upcoming MEPS and relevant international standards.  

A strong practical component allowed participants to apply these concepts directly. Using the DIALux lighting design software, they worked through real-world simulation exercises for offices, industrial settings, and public roads, learning to evaluate lighting layouts, interpret photometric data, and identify opportunities for energy savings. The programme also included modules on maintenance planning, total cost of ownership (TCO) calculations, and autonomous solar streetlighting—topics that are increasingly relevant as Tunisia expands its adoption of high-efficiency lighting technologies.  

Co-organised by L’Agence nationale pour la maîtrise de l’énergie (ANME) and UNDP Tunisia, the workshop gathered representatives from a wide range of institutions, including national ministries, municipalities, technical centres and private-sector actors, reflecting the diversity of stakeholders involved in the country’s lighting transition. Their active participation highlighted a shared commitment to improving lighting quality, reducing energy consumption and preparing for the successful rollout of MEPS.  

As Tunisia advances toward the formal adoption of its new lighting regulation, U4E will continue supporting national partners with technical guidance and capacity-building to ensure effective, smooth implementation. 

To learn more about U4E’s work on energy-efficient lighting in Tunisia under the GEF 9498 project, please contact Rocio Soledad Garcia (soledad.garcia@un.org).