A new report was released that discussed the global renewable energy market, and not that it’s a shock, but Africa keeps looking better and better. While various sectors experienced an economic downturn either directly or indirectly as a result of the US credit crisis, the renewable energy sector was one of the only industries to avoid the crunch. According to REN21’s “Renewables 2011 Global Status Report,” renewable energy accounted for nearly half of the estimated 194 GW of newly installed global electricity capacity. And close to 20% of global electricity supply in 2010 came from renewable energy sources with early 2011 figures already showing renewable energy sources increasing to 25%.
And where does Africa stand? It’s no secret that for anyone following the African market, alternative energy investments are clearly on the uptick. One reason is that many nations have already implemented programs to encourage renewable energy investments or are in the process of instituting appropriate regulations. The report said that at least 20 countries in the Middle East, North Africa, and sub-Saharan Africa have active renewable energy markets.
The continent saw the largest increase in renewable energy investment among developing countries next to others like
For example, the drive for rural electrification programs is propelling the sector to reach new heights. Several African programs to generate electricity in rural areas have impacted solar home systems (SHS), seeing rapid development in places like Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal. REN21 said this was a result of fee-for-service programs or household-based schemes (ie micro finance), and the SHS sector continues to expand. Other areas like Egypt introduced an estimated 1 GW of solar thermal systems by the end of 2010 with Morocco adding 0.2 GW.
Several countries like Cameroon, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda have existing biomass power capacity or plans for future development. The report said, “Construction of biogas projects (particularly landfill gas) in South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, and Jordan, among others, has been driven in part by the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).”
In addition, Egypt added 550 MW of wind energy via commercial wind installations – the most of any African nation. Morocco followed with its Dhr Saadane wind project totaling 140 MW. This is only bound to increase as South Africa, touting a great deal of wind energy capacity, begins to exploit its potential. And in the geothermal arena, Africa can proudly boast of having the third largest installation in the world for 2010 with
Africa will eventually be a power house for renewable energy although various obstacles remain.
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