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Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Africa. Show all posts

Workshop - Risk Mitigation in Renewable Energy Investments in Africa

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A workshop on Risk Mitigation in Renewable Energy Investments in Africa will take place on January 29 – 30, 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Although US President Donald Trump has called Africa a "shithouse", the facts dispute his characterization, particularly as it relates to another topic he dislikes, renewable energy.

Africa is an ideal location for solar, wind, and geothermal. It is the sunniest continent on Earth and has a large coastline, where wind power and wave power are abundant. Geothermal power has the potential to provide considerable amounts of energy in many eastern African nations due to a 5,900-kilometer rift.

Renewables like wind and solar are highly scalable and this can help Africans, particularly those in rural locations, to leapfrog energy solutions, thereby avoiding the economic, health and environmental problems associated with fossil fuels. Renewables also combat poverty and promote economic growth. They afford technological improvements, better education, and increased agricultural yeilds.

There are already a number of renewable energy projects in Africa with many more in the pipeline. Distributed generation using renewables are an integral part of an increasingly energy decentralized continent. However, investment capital is required especially in rural locations.

In order to enhance the use of risk mitigation instruments for renewable energy financing, IRENA and the Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP) has organized a one-and-a-half day workshop on risk mitigation instruments, with a geographical focus on Africa. The workshop will bring together the main stakeholders for practical, hands-on discussion on the opportunities and challenges of risk mitigation instruments in renewable energy investments and how to increase the availability and use of such instruments for renewable energy projects in Africa.

For more information contact IRENA Secretariat
phone: +97124179000
e-mail: info@irena.org

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Event - Wind Energy Summit

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The 2nd annual Wind Energy Summit will take place on April 16th and 17th in Cape Town South Africa, one of the world’s most exciting new hubs for wind energy in the world. This is the number one commercially based wind energy summit in South Africa. Come and listen to 2015’s most qualified wind energy experts speak about how to implement the financial and legislative changes which will continue to drive industry success into the future.


2015 is critical year for Wind energy so simply put; you cannot afford to miss this conference which will provide you with critical updates and networking opportunities which will drive growth into the future.

Features of the agenda for 2015:
  • The inclusion of an international Utility Panel involving E.ON Climate & Renewables, GDF Suez and Mainstream Renewable Power so you can learn strategies from a pool of expert knowledge.
  • A larger, more focused investor presence with key players such as Barclays, Fieldstone Investment and Green Vantage X, to maximise your development potential. Where you can find out how you can secure your financial future for wind developments.
  • Increased networking opportunities with the key decision makers in the wind energy industry; learn who, what and where the next profit hub will be.
  • Long term strategies for financial success; How to navigate government requirements and mitigate development risks for a sustainable future.
  • The key financial, governmental and operational personnel present to give critical updates and reveal their latest solutions.
  • Commercially focused discussion topics which focus on making business easier for the wind industry.
  • Powerful and intimate networking opportunities streamlined into two focused days.
  • All suppliers and solution providers under one roof of the biggest wind energy event of the year.

Some of the speakers confirmed to attend so far
  • Alastair Campell Managing Director Vantage Green
  • Axel Wietfeld Director South Africa E. on
  • Bhavtik C. Vallabhjee Investment Banker Senior Barclays Bank
  • Charles Brewer Managing Director Sub-Saharan Africa DHL
  • Hein Reyneke Country Manager Mainstream Renewable Power
  • James White Country Sales Manager Vestas
  • Kilian Hagemann Managing Director G7
  • Mike Mulchay Project Manager Green Cape

This year’s topics include;
  • Government Updates Affecting the Wind Industry
  • Explore grid capacity, future funding and grid compliance so you know when to start selling energy creating profits
  • How to profit in an increasingly competitive climate
  • Understand how to thrive in the emerging wind energy market in tougher economic conditions
  • The Prospects Beyond 2016 for Wind
  • Look at long from visions from the key decision makers involved in South African wind and what this means for the country
  • Risk mitigation
  • Understand how you can reduce risk by ensuring your contractual strategies pre and post constriction are covering you effectively and how the industry can attract further investment from international institutions. Lessons Learned From Key international players
  • Prospective on international wind development from Europe and Canada highlighting the common challenges faced there and how South Africans can avoid them
  • Local Procurement and Supply Chain
  • Learn how to utilise the domestic supply chain to your advantage, manage policy and ensure projects are favourable in government from those that are actively involved today. Expert suggestions to drive the local industrialisation process in South Africa

Brand New Features for 2015
  • Increased investor presence to ensure you build a bankable project
  • Increased government presence to build effective dialogues
  • Exclusive panel sessions to review domestic and international projects
  • Global development updates from all international stakeholders
  • Closed round door discussions allowing you to exchange valuable insight on key focus areas
  • Expert led workshops to address major challenges and ensure increased project RIO

For more information click here.
To register click here.

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African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA)

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The African Renewable Energy Alliance, or AREA, is focused on expanding research, development and use of renewable energy throughout Africa. This organization is composed of utility companies, industries, policy makers, and civil society members.

This organization facilitates the exchange of information on new technologies as well as workable funding mechanisms for renewable energy. Ultimately AREA expedites renewable energy production in Africa.

AREA sees expanded access to renewable energy as a key part of improving the lives of Africans. As explained in AREA's declaration, "If we fail to immediately take decisions on renewable energy production and distribution in grid connected areas as well as in off grid regions, we undermine the right of millions of African citizens to develop a better life in the future."

For more information click here PDF.

To learn more about the renewable energy potential of Africa click here.

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African Renewable Energy Fund (AREF)

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A new fund is bringing renewable energy funding to Africa. Developing renewable energy takes resources and this is hard to come by in much of the developing world.

The African Renewable Energy Fund (AREF) was established was launched in June 2014 with $100 million and it is expected to climb to $200 million within a year. The fund dedicated to supporting small to medium independent power producers (IPPs).

The fund will invest in grid-connected development stage renewable energy projects including small hydro, wind, geothermal, solar, biomass and waste gas.

Africa Development Bank is the AREF's leading sponsor. The fund will be managed by Berkeley Energy Africa Limited, and it will target IPPs with a generating capacity of between 5 and 50 MW. Each of the projects they support will receive funding ranging from $10 million to $30 million. Further funding will also be made available from co-investors where necessary.

To learn more about the renewable energy potential of Africa click here.

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Celebrating Renewables on Africa Industrialization Day

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There is no better time to review the future of renewable energy on the dark continent than on Africa Industrialization Day which is celebrated every year on November 20. This day is meant to draw attention to the ways of stimulating industry on the continent. With 30 of the world's 50 least development nations located in Africa, there are few places more in need of such attention. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) plays an important role promoting the day and African development in general. This year marks the 24th Africa Industrialization Day.

There is no industry that holds more promise for Africa than renewable energy. Renewable energy could transform the living standards of millions of Africans. This is particularly true in remote and rural areas. On site renewable energy production is ideal in remote areas because it is far cheaper than building infrastructure to gain access to an energy grid.

There are a couple of factors that make Africa an ideal place for renewable energy initiatives. The continent is seeking market expansion and expects to see significant growth in power demand. Africa is the most undeserved electricity market in the world. According to International Energy Agency statistics, about 57 percent of Africa’s population does not have access to electricity and this number is expected to get worse before it gets better. Projections suggest that the percentage of Africans without electricity will rise to 7.5 percent by 2030. This represents a potential market of 645 million people.

The renewable energy potential of Africa was documented four years ago in a study by Frost & Sullivan titled "Mega Trends in Africa: A bright vision for the growing continent." This report indicated that investment in renewable power in Africa is set to grow from a total of $3.6-billion in 2010 to $57-billion by 2020. This represents an almost 16 fold increase over the course of a decade.

Different parts of Africa have differing renewable potentials. For example, the Rift Valley, which stretches across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, has huge geothermal potential (nations like Iceland are already successfully harvesting massive quantities of geothermal energy so African nations can learn a lot from them).

An early 2014 report published by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC) has mapped the potential of renewables in the region. The report identified areas which would be best served by different sources of renewable energy. For example North Africa has good wind potential and Sub-Saharan Africa has good solar potential. Equatorial Africa may be better served by hydroelectric and biomass may be the best solution for Central Africa.

Renewable energy projects also create far more employment opportunities than fossil fuels. Photovoltaics and wind energy can create 62 and 12 jobs per gigawatt hour of electricity produced respectively, compared to less than one job in the coal industry for the same energy output.

The report stated that one of the major barriers to the growth of renewables in Africa is subsidized diesel fuel.

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4. African Villages Go Solar with SOLARtec - Renewable Energy World's Top 10 Most Watched Videos of 2012

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FOCUS-EMPOWER-GROW - Solar Lighting for Africa - Hult Global Case Challenge (Video)

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Sun Powered Entrepreneurship in Ghana

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There are a number of green entrepreneurs popping up in Africa. One such entrepreneur is Addosolar, this company offers portable solar products for the people of Ghana. Their goal is to help address the need for light due to daily power outages in the nation, thereby enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

Addosolar offers the finest quality in portable solar products, including the Nokero® light bulb. These bulbs are rainproof and easy-to-recharge. They eliminate the need for candles and kerosene lamps, which are dangerous and more expensive to use.

Additional products include their unique solar phone charger for cell phones and small electronic devices.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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WWF is Conserving Nature and Combating Poverty in Namibia

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Poverty may be widespread in Namibia but the sustainable use of natural resources is an area of expanding economic development in the country. Namibia is a leader amongst African nations for its protection of nature and the environment. Namibia was the first African country to incorporate protection of the environment into its constitution. To help with this endeavor the government of Namibia has given local communities the opportunity to manage their wildlife through communal conservancies.

Before Namibia became an independent state the country's wildlife populations were significantly declining as a result of prolonged military occupation, extensive poaching and a severe drought. This changed in the mid 1980s, the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) introduced an innovative program to inspire community stewardship of wildlife. Following Namibia's independence in 1990, IRDNC's efforts were transformed with WWF's support into Namibia's communal conservancy program.

Initiatives such as WWF's LIFE (Living in a Finite Environment) program have empowered indigenous groups to create ecotourism ventures that bring them financial stability and protect wildlife and their habitats at the same time.

Women make handicraft goods to sell in the craft center. Sale proceeds are a valuable source of income for the villages of the conservancies. Namibia communities now see wildlife as a valued livelihood asset, and are setting aside vast tracts of land as wildlife management areas. As a result:
  • Poaching is no longer socially acceptable.
  • There are now restored populations of lions, cheetahs, black rhinos, zebras and other native species.
  • Human welfare is improving, thanks to nearly $4.5 million in annual income the conservancies generate for the communities.
  • WWF supporters have played a vital role supporting Namibia's communal conservancy movement.
Although there have been many improvements in Namibia, these conservation achievements cannot be maintained nor expanded unless today's serious obstacles are overcome. Widespread unemployment, vast economic inequities and wealth of mineral deposits translate into mounting competition between those who would build on successful conservation efforts and those seeking to extract resources in an unsustainable way.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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Africa a Renewable Energy Superpower?

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According to a study by Frost & Sullivan titled "Mega Trends in Africa: A bright vision for the growing continent", investment in renewable power in Africa is set to grow from a total of US$3.6-billion in 2010 to $57-billion by 2020. According to the UN over 600 million people do not have electric power on the continent of Africa.

The combination of a massive unmet demand (which includes remote communities) and an abundance of renewable power potential (solar, wind and geothermal) make Africa ideal for massive renewable energy development.

According to Frost & Sullivan, the development of Africa's renewable energy sector will lead to greater diversification of the continent's energy mix, decreased dependency on any one feedstock, and greater security of supply.

Smart grids will play a major role in high growth African economies. "Smart electricity development in Africa will be driven through grid incorporation of renewable power, and technological leapfrogging through investments into greenfield transmission and distribution infrastructure projects," Energy & Power Systems Industry Analyst Ross Bruton said.

The study specifically cites the growth potential from wind power at wind farms in Ashegoda Ethiopia and Tanzania's Singida Wind Farm and solar projects like South Africa's Upington and Desertec in North Africa.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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East Africa Can Learn from Iceland's Geothermal Energy Industry

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East Africa can learn a lot from Iceland where more than one quarter of that country's energy needs are generated by geothermal sources. Geothermal is a renewable resource and an attractive energy option where it is available. Since the 1970s Iceland has relied on geothermal to provide a considerable portion of its energy needs and this could be a model for East Africa, where geothermal potential is abundant. Iceland's exploitation of geothermal has completely replaced coal, and given rise to business, investment and tourism.

In addition to making electric power from geothermal sources, Iceland uses the waste heat from geothermal power plants to heat over 90% of its buildings at low-cost.

East Africa is an ideal location to tap geothermal power. Specifically Africa’s Rift Valley, which stretches from Djibouti to Mozambique and takes includes parts of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. The region can generate over 14,000 megawatts of geothermal power. That is enough energy to provide electricity to 150 million people.

Kenya is already exploiting geothermal energy with more on the way. In the 1980s, with the help of the World Bank, Kenya built a geothermal plant at the Rift Valley site of Olkaria. In 2010, the country obtained another Bank credit to expand its geothermal capacity by an additional 280 megawatts to add to the 198 megawatts of installed geothermal capacity.

The development of geothermal power can help to provide reliable climate friendly energy to businesses and citizens throughout East Africa.

Kenya is already benefiting from Iceland's geothermal knowledge and expertise and other African nations, particularly those in the Rift Valley, are wise to follow.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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House Made of Plastic Bottles in Nigeria

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Nigeria faces some serious environmental issues and one non-governmental organization has come up with some creative solutions. Drinking tap water is not safe in Nigeria, so people consume a lot of bottled water and that creates a lot of plastic waste. One industrious NGO in the country is using those empty plastic water bottles as building materials.

The plastic water bottles are being repurposed to make bricks for housing. They are building homes a few miles outside the city of Kaduna, in northern Nigeria in the village of Yelwa.

That village is now the site of Nigeria’s first-ever house built from recycled plastic bottles. It’s a one bedroom set-up with all the comforts of home. It required 8,000 bottles, and built in the round style of traditional Northern Nigerian houses.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.

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South Africa and the Rise of Renewable Energy on the Continent

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Two of the largest renewable energy projects ever attempted are being built on the African continent. The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors have approved $250 million in funding for the Eskom Renewables Energy Support Project (ERSP) to help implement major solar and wind power projects in South Africa. The new financing complements the US$260 million provided to Eskom to implement the Upington and Sere renewable energy projects included in the $3.75 billion Eskom Investment Support Project approved in April 2010.

South Africa's Power Sector Integrated Resource Plan began in 2010 and by 2030 the country aims to meet 42% of its national demand for power using renewable energy sources.

The Upington Project will be a one hundred megawatt, utility-scale, concentrating solar power plant to be located in Northern Cape province. Emission savings are estimated at about 9-million tons of CO2 equivalent over a 20-year life span.

The construction of the Upington project will create a significant number of jobs. As a whole the solar market has the potential to be a major employer in South Africa. The Spanish PV market created 28,000 jobs between 2001 and 2010 to account for slightly more than 3,000MW of PV. South Africa is planning to build 8,400MW of PV, with another 1,000MW of concentrated solar power (CSP) technology. Extrapolating from these numbers the whole solar energy industry in South Africa could provide in excess of 60,000 jobs. The infrastructure required for massive solar parks in the Northern Cape will require infrastructure that could create up to 100,000 jobs.

The Upington project is estimated to cost a total of R150 billion (US21.3 billion) and it is expected to start operating in 2012.

The Sere Project will be a one hundred megawatt wind power project located 300 kilometers (190 mi) north of Cape Town. The project will create at least 140 direct jobs during the construction phase and 10 permanent jobs once the plant is operational. It is targeted to reduce South Africa's CO2 emissions by 5 million tons during its first 20 years. Evaluating and reassessing existing studies in 2003, a South African renewable energy strategy formulation team from the Department of Minerals and Energy estimated the total wind generation potential for the entire nation to be 60 TWh per annum.

The Sere project is estimated to cost R2.689 billion ($375 million)and Eskom has stated that the plant will be commissioned by 2012 and expects the plant to be fully operational by summer 2013.

The Clean Technology Fund is providing the loan for these pioneering and innovative projects which will go to South Africa’s power utility, Eskom. The Clean Technology Fund promotes scaled-up financing for demonstration, deployment and transfer of low-carbon technologies with significant potential for long-term greenhouse gas emissions savings.

These two projects are important not only for South Africa but for the entire continent. They make an important point about the viability of renewable energy in the developing world.

“Africa is rich in sources of renewable energy, and broadening the existing mix to include renewables is essential for sustainable development of the energy sector,” said Jamal Saghir, World Bank Director for Sustainable Development for the Africa Region. “Once implemented, these pioneering energy projects will provide powerful demonstrator effects for the benefit of Africa’s largest economy and beyond.”

The fact that only 31 percent of Africa’s population has access to energy, is both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge comes from meeting the continent's energy needs. The opportunity comes from renewable energy development that skips the industrial world's large scale reliance on energy derived from fossil fuels.

These projects underscore the World Bank’s development strategy for Africa which emphasizes competitiveness and employment by harnessing technology and innovation from the private sector.

“We are very pleased to assist South Africa launch these ambitious flagship renewable energy projects,” said Ruth Kagia, World Bank Country Director for South Africa. “They will help South Africa to fulfill its commitments on lowering emissions while demonstrating the viability of large-scale renewable energy projects undertaken in Africa.”

The South African economy is one of the most carbon-intensive in the world, however, investment in large scale renewable energy projects are helping to position the country as a leader in clean energy.

Renewable energy is not only benefiting South Africa, the development of renewable sources of energy has the potential to transform a continent burdened by poverty.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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Lesotho's Renewable Energy Projects One of the Largest in Africa

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One of the largest energy projects in Africa is being built in the tiny mountain kingdom of Lesotho. This renewable energy project will make power from wind and water. The Lesotho highlands power project (LHPP) will cost $15bn (£9bn) and will generate 6,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power and 4,000MW of hydropower.

It will also create 25,000 jobs over 15 years including 1,500 technicians and engineers. This is a major boon for Lesotho, because as one of the world's poorest countries in the world, where nearly half the population struggles to live on less than $1.25 a day.

Lesotho, officially the Kingdom of Lesotho, is a landlocked country and enclave, surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. It is just over 30,000 km (11,583 sq mi) in size with a population of approximately 2,067,000. Its capital and largest city is Maseru.

Lesotho's energy efficiency policies and regulations are contained in the National Initiative for an Energy Efficiency Program in Lesotho's Water Sector: Barrier Analysis Report. Lesotho is focused on energy efficiency through its Energy Management Plan - Lesotho Water Sector.

Lesotho gets it electricity primarily from hydro power and since 2000 it has been able to supply its own power needs. Going forward, Lesotho's large scale renewable energy projects will make the nation a net exporter of energy to South Africa. This project will help to sate South Africa's growing energy appetite and reduce its reliance on coal.

Construction is expected to take between 10 and 15 years. The first phase is a 150-megawatt windfarm, set to start next year. South Africa's Harrison and White Investments and its Chinese technology partner, Ming Yang Wind Power, will build wind turbine components factories in South Africa and Lesotho.

The Lesotho energy projects demonstrate that renewable energy can help wean us off destructive fossil fuels and create employment in some of the most impoverished places on earth.

© 2011, Richard Matthews. All rights reserved.
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