Renewable Energy Activities in Africa

Africa: Building a sustainable energy base

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Access to electricity services in African countries remains very weak. In this context, the sustainable development of Africa is inextricably tied to rural electrification based on renewable energy sources. In support of the NEPAD objectives in the area of energy, the following pronged approach is pursued:

(i) Institutional and human capacity building under the field implementation of the African Chapter of the GREET Programme. For renewable energy to take root in Africa, it is essential for countries to have personnel trained to use, adapt and maintain the technology. In parallel, technicians, teachers and engineers in Africa need to intensify the exchange and sharing of knowledge and experience with their counterparts in other countries and regions (including through South-South and trilateral South-North-South cooperation).

(ii) Promoting energy policies and supporting national governments in developing renewable energy plans and strategies as part of the overall national/regional integrated energy strategy. This also includes support to governments in assessing their energy needs and priorities as well as the renewable energy potential and its impact on local development.

(iii) Technical assistance and advisory services. In this regards, support is provided to NEPAD, the African Energy Commission (AFREC) and through established partnership agreement with the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD).

(iv) Supporting and providing a multiplier effect to pilot solar projects aiming at developmental purposes and highlighting the advantages of solar electrification and its impact on the daily lives of local communities.

(v) Creating an African databank of energy research and technologies through the preparation of materials and the organisation of training workshops for national teams in energy technology assessment and foresight exercises. In addition, assistance will be provided to countries in developing and/or improving their energy technology procurement policies and strategies.

(vi) Assessing energy resources in southern Africa under the SIMDAS programme. This will define strategies to assess energy resources in southern Africa, taking into account critical parameters, such as the sub-region’s hydroelectric potential and the need for regional interconnection of electric grids, alternative sources such as solar energy and the potential impact of new energy sources.