Climate Action 2017-2018

Dr Amani Abou-Zeid, Commissioner
for Infrastructure and Energy at the
African Union Commission (AUC)
Africa has vast renewable energy
resources including hydro, solar,
wind, geothermal and biomass,
spread throughout the continent.
Hydropower worth about 12 per cent of
the world’s technically feasible potential
is found in Africa, and could generate
over 1,800TWh/yr of electricity. Though
available in most parts of the continent,
huge hydropower resources are located
in central, eastern and southern regions of
Africa. The continent’s largest hydropower
site with a capacity of well over 30,000
MW, the Grand Inga project, one of the
African Union’s flagship projects, is found
in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Geothermal energy is predominantly
found in the east African region, and its
potential is estimated at over 15,000 MW.
Solar and wind energy resources are
found throughout the continent; however,
the Sahara desert and other arid areas
off er excellent locations for diff erent
types of solar energy development. A
huge variety of biomass resources are
distributed in all regions, with the reserves
of woody biomass alone estimated at over
70 billion tonnes.
The geographical spread of renewable
energy resources in Africa gives each
region a comparative advantage that
can be used for its benefit, as well as
promoting synergy with the rest of the
continent, providing reliable least-cost
energy. However, despite the enormous
potential, many of these resources are
not fully developed. According to the
International Renewable Energy Agency
(IRENA), Africa’s installed capacity from
renewable energy in 2016 was 38.3GW,
which was about 2 per cent of the global
renewable energy installed capacity of
2,008GW. The African Union Commission
(AUC), working closely with regional
economic communities, member states
and development partners, has designed
programmes aimed at promoting the rapid
development of African renewable energy.
This requires the participation of public
sector, private sector and civil society,
including community-based initiatives
and small and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs). One of the critical areas to
address to pave the way for diff erent
actors is the energy market structure.
The AUC, in cooperation with regional
economic communities, power pools,
specialised pan-African organisations and
member states, is working to develop a
continental energy market that enhances
eff iciency and competitiveness; and support
private sector participation to complement
public sector resources. A Strategy and
Action Plan for the harmonisation of policy
and regulatory frameworks have been
developed and adopted by the specialised
ENERGY
The Olkaria II Geothermal
Power Station in Kenya
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