East Africa’s future in energy shines brighter on the continent
The value of renewable energy in Africa cannot be stressed enough. The perks of creating green energy are numerous, ranging from combating energy poverty and promoting economic growth to improving energy security and reducing climate change.
While Africa contributes the lowest carbon footprint of any other continent, it still manages to suffer the effects of climate change like no other, which ironically highlights first hand the dangers of nonrenewable energy.
Africa’s reliance on imported fossil fuels is lessened and energy security is improved via the utilization of renewable energy. Future generations will have a dependable and sustainable supply of energy thanks to renewable resources, which are plentiful and locally accessible in contrast to finite fossil fuel reserves.
To this effect East Africa is rapidly buffing up its clean energy efforts.
A report by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa titled “Investing in a Just and Sustainable Transition in Africa,” showed that East Africa is rapidly becoming the sub-region with the most rapid development in the clean energy department. While not the largest clean energy market, it is the fastest growing.
According to the report North Africa currently holds that title with a renewable energy capacity of 24,840 megawatts, central Africa boasts 10,402, while East Africa comes in at fourth after West Africa with a renewable energy capacity of 6,298, West Africa has 13,110, and last place in Southern Africa with 4,253.
However, it is the capacity of renewable energy projects under construction that places East Africa in a prime position. With 5,481, East Africa surpasses West Africa which only has 100. In this regard, East Africa still ranks lower than Central Africa and North Africa with 10,095 and 15,201-megawatt capacities respectively.
“Africa accounts for only about 1% of installed solar energy capacity, even though it has 40% of the world’s potential. Africa’s solar photovoltaic capacity exceeds its projected energy demand, with the potential to generate more than 660,000 TWh of electricity a year. East Africa has the highest potential, with more than 200,000 TWh a year in theoretical capacity, followed by Southern Africa, with more than 160,000 TWh,” the report reads.
“Most wind resources in Africa are near coasts and mountains, mainly in the eastern and northern regions. Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, and Tanzania have the highest inland wind energy potential,7 while Angola, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, and Tanzania have high offshore potential,” it adds.
East Africa has massive geothermal thermal resources which seem to be concentrated in the Great Rift Valley, spanning Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The East African Rift System has an estimated 20,000 MW of geothermal potential.
Kenya is Africa’s top geothermal power generator and the world’s sixth largest, with an installed capacity of 950 MW, which can power 3.8 million households.
The East African powerhouse ranks eighth globally for geothermal power and first in Africa.
“Kenya has developed multiple geothermal installations, which reached a peak generation capacity of 950 megawatts in 2023, capable of powering about 3.8 million homes. All generated power is integrated into the national grid, contributing to gross domestic product, employment creation, investment in education, and reduced greenhouse gas emissions from avoided diesel generation. The increase in electricity access, from 32% of households in 2013 to 75% in 2022, correlates directly with improved living standards,” the report reads.
