Renewable energy in Africa
The applications of renewable energy technology has the potential to alleviate many of the problems that face Africans every day, especially if done in a sustainable manner that prioritizes human rights.
Communication technologies, education, industrialization, agricultural improvement and expansion of municipal water systems all require abundant, reliable, and cost-effective energy access.
Desert regions stand up as the having the most sunlight while rain forests are considerably cloudier but still get a good global solar irradiation because of the proximity with the equator.
A recent study indicates that a solar generating facility covering just 0.3% of the area comprising North Africa could supply all of the energy required by the European Union.
It is difficult for rural electrification projects to be accomplished by for-profit companies; in economically impoverished areas these programs must be run at a loss for reasons of practicality.
[27] The European partners could then either supply parts, components, or systems directly, an equivalent amount of investment capital, or lend credits to finance the distribution of renewable energy services, knowledge or equipment.
Additionally, international efforts that supply equipment and services rather than money, are more resistant to resource misappropriation issue that pose problems in less stable governments.
After a successful solar loan program sponsored by UNEP that helped 100,000 people finance solar power systems in developing countries like India,[30] UNEP started similar schemes in other parts of the developing world like Africa – Tunisia, Morocco, and Kenya projects are already functional and many projects in other African nations are in the pipeline.
[31] In Africa, UNEP assistance to Ghana, Kenya, and Namibia has resulted in the adoption of draft National Climate Awareness Plans, publications in local languages, radio programs and seminars.
It is important to note that this investment figure represents full funding from private entities and banks – there are no government subsidies for this program.
Interaction between multiple authorities requires coordination to align policies, incentives, and administrative processes (including licensing and permitting).
Gaps will have to be filled and it is the regulators, with their functional responsibilities, technical expertise, and hands-on experience that are best positioned to accomplish that task in developing countries.
Thus, for designing auctions for purchasing power, for establishing feed-in tariffs, or other instruments promoting RE, the energy sector regulator has a significant impact on the penetration of RE in Africa and other regions.
APRA focuses on mobilizing finance, engaging the private sector, and providing targeted assistance to tailor energy solutions to the specific needs of African nations, thereby driving transformative change and promoting sustainable economic growth across the continent.
The first utility-scale solar farm in Sub-Saharan Africa is the 8.5MW plant at Agahozo-Shalom Youth Village, in the Rwamagana District, Eastern Province of Rwanda.
[47][48] Energy For Opportunity (EFO), a non-profit working in West Africa, uses solar power for Schools, Health Clinics and Community Charging Stations, as well as teaches Photovoltaic installation classes at local technical institutes.
The Desertec project, backed by several European energy companies and banks, planned to generate renewable electricity in the Sahara desert and distribute it through a high-voltage grid for export to Europe and local consumption in North-Africa.
In the Eastern and Southern Africa region, solar power has been identified as a key component in addressing the energy access deficit.
The region's abundant sunlight offers a significant potential for solar energy to be harnessed, contributing to sustainable economic growth.
By 2050, Sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to require around 3 billion tons of minerals and metals to support the deployment of solar energy among other renewable resources.
These technologies require minimal maintenance, have low operational costs, and once set up, will help provide clean water for drinking and agriculture.
A group of these devices, filtering the water from wells or runoff could help with poor sanitation and controlling the spread of waterborne illnesses.
A small rural community could use a system like this indefinitely, and it would provide clean drinking water at a negligible cost after the initial equipment purchase and setup.
With a minimum of training in operation and maintenance, solar powered water pumping and purification systems have the potential to help rural Africans fulfill one of their most basic needs for survival.
Further field test are in progress by organizations like KARI and the many corporations that manufacture the products needed, and these small-scale applications of solar technology are promising.
Combined with sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of natural resources, solar power is a prime candidate to bring the benefits of technology to the parched lands of Africa.
A solar powered water pump and holding system was installed in Kayrati, Chad, in 2004 as compensation for land lost to oil development.
As Africa's largest wind farm, the project will increase the national electricity supply while creating jobs and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
[62][63] Ethiopia is home to a single binary-cycle plant but does not utilize its full potential energy output for lack of experience in its operation.
[66] Drilling potential sites alone costs millions of dollars and can result in zero energy return if the consistency of the heat and steam is unreliable.
