Africa has substantial new and renewable energy resources, most of which are under-exploited. Only about 7% of Africa’s enormous hydro potential has been harnessed. Existing estimates of hydro potential do not include small, mini and micro-hydro opportunities, which are also significant.
By 2050, the continent will be home to at least 2 billion people – twice as many as today – with 40% living in rural areas.
Currently, the leading economies are increasingly looking to wind energy to power homes. It is part of a trend towards varying forms of clean energy across the continent.
Kenya is a significant leader in green energy production with Africa’s largest wind farm and is on course to soon be able to claim 100% renewable energy from a range of sources including geothermal and solar. Geothermal energy potential stands at 9000MW, but only about 60MW has been exploited so far.
Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2018 had invested to up to $7.4 billion up from $2.3 billion in 2017. South Africa accounted for $4 billion of investment driven by a significant onshore wind project in 2018.
If fully tapped, the renewable energy technologies will provide an attractive environmentally sound technology for Africa’s electricity industry.
How determined is your country towards renewable energy? Let us keep the conversation going through our email: info@kenya2uhub.com or WhatsApp +254 742 343908 or our social media handles.
