Africa a Renewable Energy Superpower?

According to a study by Frost & Sullivan titled “Mega Trends in Africa: A bright vision for the growing continent”, investment in renewable power in Africa is set to grow from a total of US$3.6-billion in 2010 to $57-billion by 2020. According to the UN over 600 million people do not have electric power on the continent of Africa.

The combination of a massive unmet demand (which includes remote communities) and an abundance of renewable power potential (solar, wind and geothermal) make Africa ideal for massive renewable energy development.

According to Frost & Sullivan, the development of Africa’s renewable energy sector will lead to greater diversification of the continent’s energy mix, decreased dependency on any one feedstock, and greater security of supply.

Smart grids will play a major role in high growth African economies. “Smart electricity development in Africa will be driven through grid incorporation of renewable power, and technological leapfrogging through investments into greenfield transmission and distribution infrastructure projects,” Energy & Power Systems Industry Analyst Ross Bruton said.

The study specifically cites the growth potential from wind power at wind farms in Ashegoda Ethiopia and Tanzania’s Singida Wind Farm and solar projects like South Africa’s Upington and Desertec in North Africa.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.