Ethiopia has the potential of 45 thousand MW hydro-powers, five to 10 thousand MW geothermal potential, and 1000 GW wind energy potential as part of its rich renewable energy sources, according to the Ministry of Water, Irrigation and Electricity.
On the other hand, as part of its effort to realizing a green economy, the country is also set to lower the current 1.8 tonnes of greenhouse gas emission to zero by 2025. While exploiting renewable sources is central to meeting this lofty goal, the country’s potential still remains untapped.
That is why the government has devised feasible policy to harness renewable energy sources. Besides its gigantic hydropower projects, in the past couple of years, the country has installed various wind farm and geothermal energy sources such as Ashegoda, Adama I and II wind farms.
Renewable energy is also a major issue at continental level. As stated in ‘The future of renewable energy’, a recent article published by Dvinci Energy, a US based technology company with a focus on solar, more than two-thirds of Africa’s population, which is approximately 600 million people, have no access to energy.
Nevertheless, the majority of African countries have access to numerous sources of primary renewable energy which includes geothermal, hydro, and solar sources that provide terawatts of power. Therefore, the African countries have the potential to generate an extra ten terawatts of solar, 1gigawatts of geothermal power, and 1300 gigawatts of wind power.
With the ambition to improve access to electricity, many African countries have been striving to tap their renewable energy sources. The Grand Renaissance Dam in Ethiopia is expected to deliver up to 6,000MW to Ethiopia and its neighboring countries. The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) also announced this year a hydropower project that will produce 11,000 megawatts.
Sub-Saharan African wind production is also booming, with East Africa seeing a major bump in wind energy generation. The notable countries in this regard are also Ethiopia, Kenya, Ghana and Senegal. Senegal pledged to meet more than 30 percent of its rural energy requirement through solar power. Mozambique and Zimbabwe are among those following Senegal’s lead to combat their energy deficit.
Geothermal energy continues to emerge as a potential hidden gem in the sub-Saharan African electricity grid. Recent projects in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana and Nigeria speak to the potential and rising interest as geothermal opportunities are also related to the emerging gas and oil discoveries.
Renewable energy gives hope to the African economy which has for long been stunted by energy deficit. Fossil fuel-based power generation is the most expensive form of energy globally, yet it is the largest source of electricity generation in Africa. This is the least of concern for a continent simply trying to boost its total power capacity from the current 147 GW, according to the African Development Bank, which is equivalent to the total capacity installed in Belgium, and what China installs every one to two years.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), sub-Saharan Africa will require more than 30 billion USD in investment to achieve universal electricity by 2030. Rural sub-Saharan Africa will require the vast amount of the funds, with more than 85 percent of those living in rural areas lacking access to reliable electricity. An emerging concern for carbon emissions and sustainable development has created an opportunity for renewable energy on the continent.
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and Sweden’s Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) have examined the potential for renewable power generation based on resource availability all over Africa. The findings of the GIS-based study suggest the maximum technical potential for solar photovoltaic (PV), concentrated solar power (CSP), wind power and bio-energy output in all continental African countries.
With the potential for each renewable energy type varying widely, countries and regions need
to develop different strategies depending on available resources. Interconnections and coordinated planning within regional power pools can do much to maximize the gains from renewable energy resources.
Renewably produced energy will also transform Africa, according to Africa’s path to 2063: Choice in the face of great transformation, which is prepared by Frederick S. Pardee Center for International Futures. Biomass, wind, solar and hydro will make up a large share of the African energy mix by 2063, with smart grids characterizing urban spaces, and electricity access for nearly 90 percent of the continent.
The current Path estimates that at present, five percent of the continent’s energy needs are met from renewable sources, a level below Asia (six percent) and Europe (nine) percent today. The Current Path projects this share to increase to 14 percent by 2038 and over 50 percent by 2063. Under the more optimistic technology diffusion scenario, over 70 percent of the continent’s energy needs are met from renewable sources, achieving over ten percent by 2038 and nearly 35 percent by 2063, and the projected level of renewable energy penetration in Europe at that time.
In 2016, 4,400 MW of renewable-power capacity was added on the continent, an amount which approximates Nigeria’s current consumption. Since 2010, the cost of solar panels has fallen 80 percent and the cost of wind turbines is also falling quickly. Hydropower offers considerable opportunity as well, as 90 percent of Africa’s hydropower potential is yet untapped.
Renewable energy also provides an opportunity to improve electricity access in hard-to-reach locations. Mini-grids bypass the need for a traditional grid system and have made up six percent of new electricity connections worldwide since 2012. According to the IEA, it is the most cost effective way to supply three quarters of the remaining connections in Sub-Sahara Africa.
The Ethiopian Herald February 14 /2019
BY ABIY HAILU
