Africa Sitting On Enviable Energy Goldmine - Report
Oct 06, 2015 -- The Observer/All Africa Global Media
Africa can generate nearly a quarter of its energy needs if it adopted the use of indigenous, clean, renewable energy by 2030, according to report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The report, 'Africa 2030 - a comprehensive roadmap for Africa's energy transition' reveals that a combination of modern renewable technology could feasibly meet 22 per cent of Africa's energy needs by 2030 - more than a four-fold increase from just five per cent in 2013.
The report also finds that scaling up modern renewables in Africa is an affordable means to help meet fast-growing energy demands while increasing energy access, improving health and achieving sustainability goals.
"Africa holds some of the best renewable energy resources in the world in the form of biomass, geothermal, hydro-power, solar and wind," said Adnan Z. Amin, Director-General International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The report identifies nearly 10 exajoules - the equivalent of more than 341 million tonnes of coal as alternative renewable energy options for sustainable development.
Solar resources are abundant across the continent, the report notes, while biomass and hydro power potential are more plentiful in the central and southern regions.
Wind resources are strongest in the north, east, and southern regions, and geothermal energy is strong in the Great Rift Valley. The report estimates that a shift to modern renewable energy cooking solutions would reduce the use of traditional cook stoves by more than 60 per cent, saving 20 to 30 dollars annually by 2030 through the reduction of health complications from poor indoor air quality.
"Tapping into renewable energy resources is the only way African nations can fuel economic growth, maximise socio-economic development and enhance energy security with limited environmental impact," said Amin.
He said the technologies are available, reliable and increasingly cost-competitive. Amin said the onus is now on Africa's governments to create conditions to accelerate deployment of renewable energy resources.
The report recommends a suite of 14 actions to speed the uptake of renewables on the continent by creating enabling policies and a regulatory framework to catalyse investment, adopting investment promotion measures to attract investors, and promoting off-grid renewable energy solutions to increase energy access and reduce poverty.
Africa 2030 is built on a country-by-country assessment of supply, demand, renewable energy potential, and technology prospects. The report was released on the sidelines of the South African International Renewable Energy Conference, which aims to provide a global platform for government, private sector and civil society leaders to advance renewable energy.
The 2015 conference is themed "RE-energising Africa" and seeks to position Africa as the business destination for renewables energy, given its current growth trajectory and need for clean energy investment for sustainable economic growth.
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