(3 minutes read)
- Africa’s electricity generation capacity needs to expand rapidly by over 6% a year to support strong economic growth, foster industrialisation, and safeguard livelihoods, according to a report titled “Make energy poverty history by 2030”
- Africa’s expected growth in renewable power generation is close to 14.5% in 2021 and yet it is not enough to stem the overall decline of 2.5% in generation brought about by the pandemic
- Significantly, conventional fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas collectively accounted for three quarters (75%) of Africa’s power generation.
Africa’s electricity generation capacity needs to expand rapidly by over 6% a year to support strong economic growth, foster industrialisation, and safeguard livelihoods, according to a report titled “Make energy poverty history by 2030”.
Africa’s expected growth in renewable power generation is close to 14.5% in 2021. Yet, it is not enough to stem the overall decline of 2.5% in generation brought about by the pandemic. Significantly, conventional fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas collectively accounted for three quarters (75%) of Africa’s power generation.
The oil and gas sector are expected to see an increase in sanctioning and investment activities in 2022 as a result of improved cash flows from oil and gas companies. Africa’s oil and gas industry will continue its increased exposure to gas projects. Demand for gas increases due to its decarbonising effect and at the same time, it can meet a large part of the continent’s energy needs. The report clearly brings out the idea that Africa cannot bid good bye to the use of fossil fuel for alternative sources of energy in the near future. It has to selectively and consciously move towards a decarbonization mode in a gradual manner.
