AUDA NEPAD: New quantitative report on CMP outlines continent-wide energy flows and trade

The African Union Development Agency NEPAD has released their synthesis report on the African Continental Power Systems Masterplan (CMP), quantifying the value of the envisioned continental wide electricity power network.

The report details how current energy development trajectories are inadequate to unlock the continent’s growth potential. The current figures only provide a fraction of the expected 2040 energy consumption and demand requirements. Continent wide integration and regional collaboration will be as key factors in moving forward, according to the CMP modelling and analysis. Continental integration of energy production and distribution will result in enhanced trade within Africa as well as beyond the continent’s borders. Deeper collaboration between African nations will also ensure the efficient delivery of power to underserved regions.

The CMP provides the foundation for the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), which would supply electricity to 2 billion people across 55 African countries, creating the world’s largest and most far-reaching electricity market, paving the way to ending energy poverty and achieving SDG7  and catalysing economic growth by providing a reliable and cost-effective energy supply, fostering job creation, and attracting investment. A successful implementation of the CMP and AfSEM would supply essential renewable and clean energy to the African energy mix. To speed up implementation of the initiatives within the African Union and its Member states AfSEM and CMP were adopted as Agenda 2063 flagship projects at the AU Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in February 2024.

AfSEM and CMP are also unique examples of joint African European initiatives in the field of energy. The planning and modelling work for the CMP is by AUDA NEPAD with support from several partners including the African Union Commission (AUC), African Development Bank (AfDB), United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), regional power pools, IRENA , GET.transform and the EU.

The Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) has facilitated the drafting and publication of the summaries of six specific support studies on the different energy sources and technologies and the path to their implementation and integration into AfSEM. The summaries give an overview of the extensive studies, detailing the potential and opportunity, as well as current barriers, to each energy resource or technology.

With an optimistic clear path to a successful implementation outlined in the studies, Africa has great potential to achieve its energy transformation. The synthesis report summarises the key pathways, outcomes, and recommendations to ensure that Africa achieves its power and energy needs.