Scaling up Renewable Energy Deployment in Africa Detailed Overview of Irena’S Engagement and Impact
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SCALING UP RENEWABLE ENERGY DEPLOYMENT IN AFRICA DETAILED OVERVIEW OF IRENA’S ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT JANUARY 2020 © IRENA 2020 Unless otherwise stated, material in this publication may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given to IRENA as the source and copyright holder. Material in this publication that is attributed to third parties may be subject to separate terms of use and restrictions, and appropriate permissions from these third parties may need to be secured before any use of such material. About IRENA The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future and serves as the principal platform for international co-operation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity. www.irena.org Acknowledgements This report was prepared by Nopenyo Esselasse Dabla, Elizabeth Njoki Wanjiru, Benson Zeyi and Deger Saygin (Consultant), under the guidance of Gurbuz Gonul and in collaboration with other IRENA colleagues. IRENA appreciates the co-operation and input of regional representatives, country officials, international institutions and other stakeholders, both to the report and to the activities summarised within. Available for download: www.irena.org/publications For further information or to provide feedback: [email protected] Disclaimer The designations employed and the presentation of materials featured herein are provided on an “as is” basis, for informational purposes only, without any conditions, warranties or undertakings, either express or implied, from IRENA, its officials and agents, including but not limited to warranties of accuracy, completeness and fitness for a particular purpose or use of such content. The information contained herein does not necessarily represent the views of all Members of IRENA, nor is it an endorsement of any project, product or service provider. The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries. CONTENTS Key findings ............................................................................................................................................................6 Introduction: Growing engagement and impact ...............................................................................................8 African energy challenges and opportunities .................................................................................................19 Energy transition in Africa .................................................................................................................................20 1. IRENA’s three key work streams in Sub-Saharan Africa ............................................................................25 1.1. Regional context: Clean Energy Corridors..................................................................................................... 26 1.2. Country context: Renewables Readiness Assessment and technical advice ...................................... 31 1.3. Thematic context: Access to modern energy ............................................................................................... 31 1.4. Supporting platforms ..........................................................................................................................................33 2. Progress, achievements and stakeholder views ....................................................................................... 34 2.1 Regional activities through the Clean Energy Corridor approach .........................................................34 2.2 Country-level assessments and activities ......................................................................................................54 2.3 Key activities to boost modern energy access ............................................................................................64 2.4 Supporting platforms ..........................................................................................................................................70 3. Leveraging partnerships for impact ........................................................................................................... 74 Further reading ....................................................................................................................................................75 Annex: Discussions with experts ..................................................................................................................... 80 3 4 SCALING UP RENEWABLE ENERGY DEPLOYMENT IN AFRICA BOXES Box 1: Resource assessment using IRENA’s Global Atlas for Renewable Energy ..............................................12 Box 2: Eswatini Energy Masterplan to 2034.................................................................................................................14 Box 3: Project facilitation platforms ...............................................................................................................................16 Box 4: Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Support Facility ...............................................................................17 Box 5: The International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition ...........................................18 Box 6: IRENA’s regional initiatives rest on high-level political commitment and support .............................30 Box 7: Biomass resource potential in Africa .................................................................................................................40 FIGURES Figure 1: IRENA’s regional engagement in Africa .......................................................................................................10 Figure 2: Zoning maps highlight promising solar and wind sites .........................................................................13 Figure 3: Total installed renewable energy capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa, 2011-2018 .................................22 Figure 4: Growth of IRENA’s membership in the Sub-Saharan Africa, 2009-2018 ..........................................26 Figure 5: Renewables Readiness Assessments, technical assistance and their impacts in Africa ...............................................................................................................................................................57 Figure 6: The breakdown of RRA recommendations in Sub-Saharan Africa countries .................................58 Figure 7: Total installed solar photovoltaic capacity and annual capacity addition in sub-Saharan Africa, 2008–18 (in gigawatts) ......................................................73 TABLES Table 1: Challenges and opportunities of Africa’s energy sector ...........................................................................21 Table 2: Overview of energy-related initiatives in Africa (status of May 2016) .................................................24 Table 3: Advanced biofuel potential from residues, higher yields, reduced waste and forests (PJ/year) .............................................................................................................41 Table 4: Technical potential including future grid development plans according to the Suitability Analysis (in GW) .................................................................................................................49 Table 5: Overview of the uptake of Renewables Readiness Assessment recommendations in sub-Saharan Africa, May 2017 .................................................................................61 DETAILED OVERVIEW OF IRENA’S ENGAGEMENT AND IMPACT 5 KEY FINDINGS Endowed with substantial renewable energy resources, Africa can adopt innovative, sustainable technologies and play a leading role in global action to shape a sustainable energy future. The continent could meet nearly a quarter of its energy needs from indigenous and clean renewable energy sources by 2030 and increase the share of renewables in its total energy mix to as much as two-thirds by 2050. The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has pursued strategic, results-oriented partnerships with African organisations and development partners since its inception in 2011. In July 2011, IRENA convened a high-level consultative forum where Sub-Saharan African nations identified priority areas for joint action between intergovernmental agencies, governments and regional partners. The resulting “Abu Dhabi Communiqué on Renewable Energy for Accelerating Africa’s Development” called for an assessment of existing conditions and needs, strengthening national, regional and continental policy frameworks to stimulate investment in renewables, and support for technological research and development through South-South co-operation. Accordingly, IRENA has adopted a comprehensive, practical approach, providing technical support through regional, country-specific and thematic