Because Africa’s rapid economic growth has created a formidable energy challenge, coupled with increasing functional prototypes and sustainability aspirations, our teams have worked closely with African countries. One of the continent’s most important growth issues is seeking a long-term solution to meet rising energy demands. Africa has a wealth of renewable energy sources, including hydro, solar, wind, and others, and the time has come to ensure that the correct energy mix is implemented. Decisions taken today would have a long-term effect on the continent’s energy market.
According to a study by the International Energy Agency, renewable energy will account for nearly half of power production growth in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2040.
The study, which is the IEA’s first significant review of Sub-Saharan Africa, focused on the region’s potential for supplying energy to the region’s estimated 620 million citizens. They do not have access to electricity. The report states that Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy has been steadily growing since 2000, but that growth is being stifled by the states that nearly of the region’s population lacks access to electricity.
According to the study, Sub-Saharan Africa will begin to unlock its immense renewable energy resources over the next 26 years, with solar energy leading the growth in renewables in the country. Just 10% of Sub-Saharan Africa’s hydropower capacity is currently being utilized, according to the survey. Furthermore, most of Africa has excellent solar energy potential, and coastal areas have wind energy potential.
In East Africa, geothermal energy is becoming the second-largest power source, primarily in Kenya and Ethiopia. Solar photovoltaics, small hydropower, and wind will fuel two-thirds of mini-grid and then off systems in rural areas by 2040. As technology costs fall, renewable energy systems become more appealing than diesel generators. However, they are often used in tandem, mainly where financing is adequate to pay the higher upfront cost.
2011 was the year of creation. With African organizations and relevant stakeholders, we have sought collaborative, results-oriented collaborations that have resulted in positive outcomes and effects on the ground. Good ties to regional projects and programs have improved synergies in Africa’s energy transition efforts.
In Africa, we are implementing the following national and regional programs and initiatives:
Africa Clean Energy Corridor
This is a regional initiative aimed at accelerating the growth of renewable energy capacity and cross-border renewable energy exchange between the Eastern Africa Power Pool or the EAPP and the Southern African Power Pool or the SAPP
West Africa Clean Energy Corridor
This is a regional campaign to help the West Africa Power Pool or the WAPP to develop a regional power market.
The African Union advocated that member states, regional and multilateral bodies incorporate the principle of Clean Energy Corridors into national renewable climate and energy agendas, as well as the design, implementation, and updating of regional and multilateral initiatives and programs, to help the continent transition to a more suitable, reliable, and affordable low-carbon power market.
Pan-Arab Clean Energy Initiative
This is a local project aimed at promoting the introduction of higher renewable energy shares into Arab energy systems.
West and South African Entrepreneurship Support Facility in West and Southern Africa
Regional programs that help small and medium-sized renewable energy enterprises are included.
Renewables Readiness Assessment
This is a project that evaluates the suitability of different countries’ conditions for the production and implementation of renewable energy and the measures needed to change those conditions.
Our research and reports aren’t the first to recognize Africa’s significant electricity generation capacity. According to a World Bank study in 2008, Sub-Saharan Africa has many technological potentials for renewable energy projects. South Africa was named the world’s most desirable developing country for geothermal panels by information companies this year. South Africa has wind potential as well, mainly along its borders, and its success in private investment and donors for infrastructure projects has made it a prototype for other African nations.