A Green Energy Future for Africa: CMP Specific Support Studies Highlight Path to Energy Independence
The African Union launched the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) in June 2021, paving the way for one of the largest electricity markets in the world. The implementation of AfSEM is supported by the Continental Power System Masterplan (CMP), which is currently being developed by African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) together with EU-GTAF, IRENA and IAEA.
AUDA-NEPAD has conducted six different studies examining the most promising renewable energy sources and technologies to support the Continental Power System Masterplan (CMP) and the African Single Energy Market (AfSEM). With support from the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) the results have been summarised, providing valuable information and data to guide decision-makers in developing strategies for planning the best energy mix in Africa.
The studies focus on solar power, wind power, geothermal power, green hydrogen, battery energy storage systems, and pumped storage hydropower. The individual, comprehensive studies detail the opportunities and challenges of installing and expanding each system in the African context. The solar study in particular was supported by GET.transform.
WHAT ARE THE RESULTS?
The specific support studies paint a promising picture for the future of renewable energy resources in Africa. Each energy system holds great capacity and potential to bring electricity and energy across the continent, with each resource taking advantage of Africa’s diverse geography. Already existing projects and ongoing initiatives that support the achievement of continent-wide energy access, include growing shares of low-cost variable renewable energy, commitments to climate change and decarbonisation, decentralisation and democratisation of energy, intelligent grid infrastructure, and digitalisation of the energy sector, infrastructure resilience in the face of climate risks, and the rise in energy storage technology and electric vehicles.
While each resource and technology possess great promise, they all have unique obstacles that will require continued collaboration to unlock the full potential of the goals of AfSEM and CMP.
WHAT DO THEY MEAN FOR THE FUTURE?
When AfSEM is fully implemented, Africa will have created the world’s largest interconnected electricity market to serve its 1.3 billion people across 55 countries, bringing technical and economic opportunity, as well as accelerated development and energy access.
The CMP is expected to create the framework conditions that will allow countries to trade electricity to leverage national and regional surpluses with deficits through cross-border exchanges and inter-power pool trade. Development of the CMP spans two phases and is implemented over several years, with targeted completion of the first draft by the end of 2023.
Visit the AUDA NEPAD Mwanga (nepad.org) website to access all Specific Support Studies.
Download and read the summaries of the support studies here:
Solar Power , Wind Power , Geothermal (GPP) , Green Hydrogen (GH2) , Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) , Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSP)
