Solar power is supplying reliable electricity across Africa

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Africa has 60% of the world’s best solar resources, but only 1% of solar generation capacity.

To achieve its energy and climate goals, Africa needs $190 billion of investment a year between 2026 to 2030, with two-thirds of this going to clean energy, the IEA says.

Solar power can help Africa reduce emissions and widen access to electricity, but the continent is only in the early stages of building its solar resources.

Data specialist Statista reported earlier this year that Africa generates 9% of its energy from renewable resources, and that solar capacity in Africa grew 13% between 2019 and 2020.

In its Africa Energy Review 2021, professional services firm PwC says Africa has “substantial solar power potential”.

Fossil fuels still dominate Africa’s energy mix, but efforts are underway to accelerate solar and wind power technologies, it says.

South Africa and Egypt have the biggest solar capacity, followed by Algeria, the report says.

By 2050, experts predict that around 30% of Africa’s energy production will be from solar power.

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