Africa's road map to a bigger, greener power system

Africa may be set to transform itself from a relative clean-energy laggard into a power-sector pioneer.

- Gavin Maguire

African power firms have plans to dramatically expand the continent’s energy generation base and make it far cleaner. This could help fuel Africa’s expected economic acceleration over the coming decades and provide jobs for its population of roughly 1.5 billion.

But the key will be execution.

The continent’s power companies are seeking to sharply boost clean-power generation, cut reliance on fossil fuels and nearly double total power output by the time projects near or under construction are completed.

The projected 278% jump in Africa’s clean power capacity - between now and the completion of all the planned projects - dwarfs the 109% rise slated for projects at similar phases globally, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM).

But realizing these plans will require overcoming major obstacles, including a lack of energy policy coordination among nations, outdated existing energy infrastructure and limited experience operating regional power pools.

CLEAN LEADERS

All told, there are around 32,700 megawatts (MW) of clean- power capacity under construction across Africa, and around 60,000 MW of clean-power capacity already in operation.

African power firms are, in aggregate, currently building 250 megawatts (MW) of geothermal plants, nearly 5,000 MW of wind projects, 8,100 MW of solar parks, 15,600 MW of hydro dams, 3,600 MW of nuclear capacity, and around 120 MW of bioenergy capacity.

A further 134,000 MW of clean capacity is in the so-called preconstruction phase, which refers to permitted projects that have yet to break ground.