The International Renewable Energy Agency says that Africa has the potential and the ability to utilise its renewable resources to fuel the majority of its future growth. It adds ‘doing so would be economically competitive with other solutions, would unlock economies of scale, and would offer substantial benefits in terms of equitable development, local value creation, energy security, and environmental sustainability’. Simply deploying solar PV locally, off grid, with panels put on individual homes, schools and the like, although helpful, is not enough to make more than a limited dent on problem of providing full access to energy. At present, 57% of Africa’s mostly rural population does not have access to electricity. Grids, including local mini grids, are also needed New cheaper power inputs also also needed- but they are on the way. A new assessment by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) has found that wind and solar can be economically and environmentally competitive options in Africa and can contribute significantly to the rising demand, which could triple as African economies develop.
Environmental Research Web 19th Aug 2017 read more »
