Africa's renewable energy power potential is substantially larger than the current and projected power consumption of the continent. Local geothermal, solar thermal and bioenergy resources have an important role to play in covering future heat demand. Domestic biofuels and renewable energy-based electrification of urban public transport can contribute significantly to transport needs.

In cooperation with its African partner (the company Palfridge in Swaziland) and the Technical University (TU) Dresden, GIZ works along the objectives of the SolarChill concept to develop out of Africa sustainable solutions bringing much needed affordable vaccine supply to regions without grid connection and affordable refrigeration solutions powered by renewable solar energy.

In 2015, global investment in renewables grew about 5 percent relative to the previous year and reached an all-time high of US$ 286 billion (bn). And there are more interesting trends: Investment in renewables’ based electricity generation capacity in 2015 has been more than double the investment in the major fossil fuels (renewables: US$ 266 bn versus US$ 130 bn for coal and gas stations). This also leads to added capacity in terms of Gigawatts in 2015 in renewables (134 GW) outstripping all other technologies combined (conventional coal, gas, and nuclear).

POWERING AFRICA THROUGH FEED-IN TARIFFS, ADVANCING RENEWABLE ENERGY TO MEET THE CONTINENT'S ELECTRICITY NEEDS

This publication examines the sectors, technologies and policy measures that will be central in the transition to a low-carbon energy system. It addresses the following questions: (1) What are the roles of coal and gas in meeting the stringent decarbonisation requirements for the power sector consistent with IEA modelling of global climate goals? (2) What are moderate carbon prices accomplishing in the electricity sector, and how can they be helpful as part of a package of other policies?

The Africa Clean Energy Corridor initiative aims to transform the continent’s energy mix by promoting the development of clean, indigenous, cost-effective renewable power options. This report examines the evolving infrastructure of Eastern and Southern Africa for the generation and transmission of electricity, and it highlights challenges and opportunities for the rapid scale-up of renewable energy. The report is intended to assess the current state of the power sector and the power pool readiness to embrace the objectives of the initiative.