Africa accelerates green energy transition, fruitful results

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In recent years, Africa has accelerated the pace of energy green transformation, with more and more African countries actively participating in the construction of new energy projects. Cooperation between China and Africa in the field of green energy has also deepened, injecting strong impetus into Africa's energy transformation. ​

Green electricity lights up life in Africa

Previously, our place was pitch black at night. Now, the days of frequent power outages have finally come to an end. This is thanks to the clean electricity provided by the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station, "said Mwara, an elderly man from Garissa County in northeastern Kenya, expressing the tremendous changes that the energy transition has brought to the lives of African people. Nowadays, wind power stations, hydropower stations, and photovoltaic power stations have been built one after another on the land of Africa, transforming Africa's abundant natural resources into a "green driving force" to promote social and economic development. ​

Africa's abundant renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are gradually being developed and utilized. According to a report released by the International Energy Agency, renewable energy generation in Africa is expected to grow by over 60 billion kilowatt hours from 2023 to 2025, accounting for 30% of total electricity generation from 24% in 2021, making it the second largest source of electricity in Africa. ​

Dual wheel drive of policy and financing transformation

To promote energy transformation, the African Union has successively issued planning documents such as the "African Green Energy Initiative" and the "African Energy Partnership Plan", and established the African Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Fund. Meanwhile, over 40 African countries have set energy transition goals, and Tanzania has reduced value-added tax and tariffs on all solar products and encouraged the development of solar projects in accordance with the "2025 Vision Plan". ​

In terms of financing support, the African Development Bank recently approved two loans for the construction of a 25 MW photovoltaic power plant in Zambia and a 120 MW onshore wind farm in Mozambique. In 2024, the African Development Bank will also provide loans to Seychelles and Comoros to support the development of local green energy projects. Not long ago, the African Sustainable Energy Fund provided a € 6 million preferential loan for the 18 MW solar power project in Dougu, Burkina Faso. ​

China Africa cooperation supports green development

In recent years, China has implemented hundreds of clean energy and green development projects in Africa, from the Garissa photovoltaic power plant in Kenya to the De Agua wind power project in South Africa. Through technology transfer, project cooperation, and financial support, China has continuously deepened its cooperation in green energy between Africa and China. ​

In August 2024, Botswana Electric Power Company and Zhongbo Green Energy Co., Ltd. started the construction of Botswana Zhuwaneng 100 MW photovoltaic power station project, which is the largest photovoltaic power station project in Botswana so far. In September, the Karuma Hydropower Station project in Uganda, constructed by China Water Resources and Hydropower Construction Group Corporation, was completed and handed over. The total installed capacity of the power station is 600 megawatts, saving Uganda about 1.31 million tons of raw coal and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 3.48 million tons annually. It also reduced Uganda's electricity prices by 17.5%. In November, the first 100 MW photovoltaic project jointly invested and developed by China General Nuclear Power Corporation in South Africa officially started construction. After completion, it will provide 147 million kilowatt hours of clean electricity annually and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 200000 tons. ​

Moreover, in September last year, the South African Redstone Solar Thermal Power Station project, undertaken by Chinese enterprises, was connected to the grid for power generation, contributing approximately 480 gigawatt hours of clean electricity to the South African power grid annually, meeting the electricity needs of over 200000 households. In early January of this year, the Sanda hydropower station in Congo (Brazzaville) officially started construction. The project plans to have an installed capacity of between 600 and 800 megawatts, and will be financed and implemented by the China Overseas Investment Corporation. ​

Hydrogen energy industry becomes a new growth point

With the acceleration of global energy transition, Africa's potential in hydrogen energy development is gradually emerging. At present, at least 12 countries in Africa are carrying out hydrogen energy project construction, and 19 countries have developed specialized regulatory frameworks or national strategies for the hydrogen energy industry. ​

Morocco has developed a green hydrogen roadmap and launched the "Moroccan Proposal" plan in March this year, investing 1 million hectares of land to build green hydrogen projects. About 100 domestic and foreign investment institutions have expressed interest in investing. Egypt will establish the National Green Hydrogen Energy Committee in 2023 and launch the National Green Hydrogen Strategy. Currently, there are 21 green hydrogen projects in preparation, and in February of this year, 7 memorandums of understanding were signed with international developers to promote the development of green hydrogen and renewable energy projects. ​

China is also actively participating in the development of the hydrogen energy industry in Africa. China Energy Engineering Group has signed memorandums of understanding on green hydrogen project cooperation with Egypt and Morocco, while China State Construction Engineering Group has signed memorandums of understanding with a consortium of South Korean companies and Egypt to develop green hydrogen and green ammonia projects in Egypt. ​

In addition, the African Union recently approved the Dar es Salaam Declaration, aimed at promoting universal access to electricity in Africa, proposing strategies such as reducing electricity prices, decreasing dependence on firewood, and increasing clean energy production. The goal is to provide electricity connectivity to 300 million Africans by 2030. ​

The green transformation of energy in Africa is steadily advancing. With the support of its own efforts and international cooperation, especially China Africa cooperation, Africa is expected to achieve leapfrog development on the path of green energy and contribute important strength to global sustainable development.