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Library >> Renewable
Energy Resource Maps >> Africa
Renewable Energy Resources in AFRICA
Bioenergy |
Geothermal |
Hydropower |
Ocean | Solar |
Wind
Much of Africa is well exposed to sunlight,
but photovoltaic technology is generally too expensive
at this time for suitable African applications. Morocco
leads with 3 MWe installed capacity, followed by Egypt
with 2 MWe and Senegal and South Africa with around
1 MWe each.
Africa's geothermal resources
are concentrated in the Red Sea Valley and the Rift
Valley system. Kenya is the principal exploiter of
geothermal energy in Africa with 45 MWe and some direct
heat use. Ethiopia is the only other African country
producing electricity from geothermal heat
at this time. Algeria and Tunisia both obtain some
direct heat from geothermal sources.
Wind potential in much of Africa
is largely unassessed at this time. Egypt is the most
advanced country in harnessing wind energy, with over
15 MWe installed capacity. There is undoubtedly much
additional potential.
Probably the most promising of the other
renewable sources is biomass, if it were produced
and used in sustainable ways. As already noted biomass,
including wood, is the major contributor to meeting
Africa's energy needs. However, it is used inefficiently
and in ways that pollute indoor air and degrade the
surrounding environment. Various options, including
higher efficiency combustion and gasification, are
being developed which would allow these fuels to be
used with far greater efficiency and on a decentralised
basis.
An agricultural residue, grown by many African countries,
is bagasse, by-product in the production of sugar
cane. It is estimated that there is significant potential
to harness the energy yield of the approximately 26
million tonnes of bagasse produced in Africa.
(1)
Related GENI Resources
Links
AFREPREN/
FWD - Energy, Environment and Development Network
for Africa
Sustainable
Energy Society of Southern Africa (SESSA, ISES)
WEC
- Energy Geography of Africa
AFREC
(African Energy Commission)
African
Development Bank Group (ADFB)
Renewable Energy News
Energy
Central
Renewable
Energy Access
ReFocus
Weekly
Renewable
and Alternative Energy News
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