Ram Tumuluri “Africa is making serious gains in Renewable Energy”
Global warming is slowly releasing its fangs against the world. From bushfires to big storms, everyone is already feeling the effects of climate change, which is why the calls for embracing renewable energy have never been stronger.
Africa Is Taking the Huge Leap in Renewable Energy, IEA Says
But when we least expect it, Africa is stepping ahead of the pack with its ambitious goal of switching to renewable energy for its electricity needs.
Sub-Saharan Africa could power half of its energy by 2040
According to a report by the International Energy Agency, sub-Saharan Africa’s power generation capacity will grow immensely by 2040 that it will rely on renewable energy to supply half of its electricity needs.
The IEA’s first major analysis of the region revealed that it is capable of supplying energy to at least 620 million people who still have no access to electricity. This will have a huge impact not only on sub-Saharan Africa’s energy needs but also to its economic growth, which is limited by the fact that two-thirds of its population still lacks access to electricity.
Sub-Saharan Africa is only currently using 10{51ffe14db51c81bb946c2cd9e4ee1d73e100ec524fb4405aeeb3786ce93c83cb} of its hydropower potential
The African region is committed to taking that huge leap in renewable energy with its wide array of resources. According to the report, the next 26 years will see sub-Saharan Africa exploring more of its solar, hydro and wind energy capabilities, with solar leading its growth. Today, the region is just using 10{51ffe14db51c81bb946c2cd9e4ee1d73e100ec524fb4405aeeb3786ce93c83cb} of its total hydropower potential.
“Geothermal becomes the second-largest source of power supply in East Africa, mainly in Kenya and Ethiopia. Two-thirds of the mini-grid and off-grid systems in rural areas in 2040 are powered by solar photovoltaics, small hydropower or wind.
As technology costs come down, the attraction of renewable systems versus diesel generators grows (although they are often used in combination), especially where financing is available to cover the higher upfront expense,” the report predicts.
In addition, a $450 billion investment to sub-Saharan Africa’s power sector as well as more energy projects and better energy based revenue management will help boost Africa’s energy economy further. The report says that if both the government and investors will take this seriously, there is a huge potential for the region to be fully powered by renewable energy by 2040.
Ram Tumuluri “Africa has one of the biggest potential for renewable energy and this could be the answer to the continent’s dire need for electricity to many of its communities.
The African region has solar, hydro and wind power capabilities that other continents can only dream of. It’s up to the government and private sectors to use those capabilities to benefit the people and its economy in general. “
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