International Gas Union’s Post

In a recent statement, The World Bank unveiled an initiative aimed at addressing the energy access crisis in Africa, particularly spotlighting Nigeria’s pivotal role in driving the continent’s electrification agenda. With over 600 million people lacking reliable electricity across the continent, urgent and collective action is imperative to bridge this profound gap. Nigeria, despite its abundant energy resources and economic prominence, stands as a stark example of energy poverty. More than 85 million Nigerians remain deprived of electricity, underscoring the urgency of transformative interventions. The World Bank’s initiative, titled Distributed Access through Renewable Energy Scale-Up (DARES), is set to revolutionize energy access across Nigeria and the wider African region. This ambitious program targets to provide clean and reliable energy to 20% of the unelectrified population and over 200,000 Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) by 2030, leveraging private sector interventions. Moreover, scalability is intrinsic to the program’s design, aiming to maximize the impact of public finance and catalyze private investment in energy infrastructure. By embracing regional cooperation and integration, DARES seeks to harness Africa’s diverse energy potential, from solar in the Sahel to geothermal and wind resources in Kenya. Read more: https://lnkd.in/d44FZAXy #RenewableEnergy #Solar #Africa #Investment

Hopefully yes… Africa can be a big player in #energy markets. But still (VERY) hopefully is that such development would be – FIRST AND FOREMOST – for Africa itself. The international attention towards Africa’s energy sector has increased as a result of global #energy crisis. The reasons are not difficult to understand given that the continent presents several opportunities among traditional fuels and new ones. But – while international capitals, experience, #technology and more is very welcomed – the question remains always the same: who is going to benefit mostly from the much awaited development of Africa’s energy potential? Because a model that does not put Africa first (and by far) is not morally acceptable and – frankly speaking – not really sustainable anymore as Africa’s leaders have clearly raised their voices on the need to have full and proper access to energy. The numbers in the continent are striking: not only the region suffers mostly of lack of access to energy, but it is also experiencing a multi-decade issues on the topic of having fuels for clean cooking (something really dramatic and for which IEA is going soon to release a new report - https://lnkd.in/ePH3yrTT). If that was not enough, #Africa is one of most exposed regions to harsh effects of climate change, despite it accounts for less than 3% of the world’s energy-related CO2 emissions to date and has the lowest emissions per capita of any region. As the article from The Economist points out the region presents massive opportunities for the development of its energy resources. Oil, gas, #renewables, also #hydrogen are mentioned, among others. What misses in the list are the critical minerals of which some countries in the continent are particularly rich and that can offer a key source of revenue and development for exports and industry linked to #greentech manufacturing. However - among several challenges - there are two major issues in making energy investment flowing at the right speed in most part of the continent: one is that sometimes the size of investment is even bigger than the GDP of the country that would host such projects requiring for international collaboration and regional approaches. The example of exploitation of massive gas reserves offshore Mozambique is one – but also the long-awaited development of massive hydro potential with the INGA project in the central part of the continent. Another big issue is the cost of capital as the level requested are too often well in excess of double digits making the projects much more difficult to be financed and therefore to be properly deployed.    Those are some of key elements to make things developing at the pace required. With a clear polar star to be kept in mind: Africa is poised to become a big player in energy markets, but if – and only if – the first to benefits of that would be African people #sustainability #innovation #money #future #data 

Considering all the stop starts, we’ve seen in Africa over the years in various investment areas. This is probably the one I hope the most comes true….. African energy demand is expected to increase by a third over the next decade as sub-Saharan Africa grows, develops, and industrializes. To meet this demand, power generation capacity will have to increase by a factor of 10 by 2065. But to advance toward such goals without breaking climate pledges and more generally counteracting global progress toward decarbonization, Africa has to “leapfrog” over what is normally the next phase of development in a poor nation’s economic journey. Unlike other nations in history which have enriched themselves and developed their economy by burning massive amounts of cheap and abundant fossil fuels with abandon, countries developing now do not have the same option. #sustainablepower #renewables #powergen

🌍 China's Potential to Drive Africa's Renewable Energy Revolution: A Game-Changer Opportunity! 💡🔋 👁️🗨️ Article Summary: Recent research from Boston University underscores China's pivotal role in spearheading Africa's renewable energy revolution, offering a transformative opportunity for both regions. Despite Africa's abundant green energy potential, Chinese investments have historically favored fossil fuels over renewables. However, with China's commitment to combatting climate change and transitioning to green energy, there is significant potential for collaboration in driving Africa's energy transition forward. 🧠 Analysis: Africa's growing interest in renewable energy presents opportunities for rapid innovation and technological advancements in the sector, driving economic growth and energy security. The evolving landscape of energy investments in Africa opens doors for creative solutions and partnerships, fostering collaboration between nations and industries to explore new renewable energy opportunities. The intricate interplay between economic development and environmental sustainability in Africa offers a platform for holistic approaches to energy transition, integrating diverse perspectives and expertise to address multifaceted challenges and create lasting impact. The shifting dynamics of global energy markets create space for adaptable strategies and agile decision-making, empowering stakeholders to seize emerging opportunities and navigate uncertainties with resilience and foresight. 🔑 Insights and Commentary: China's pledge to cease financing new coal-fired projects abroad presents a timely opportunity for collaboration in Africa's energy sector. By redirecting investments towards renewable energy projects, China can catalyze Africa's transition to a greener, more sustainable energy future. This partnership not only addresses Africa's energy access challenges but also contributes to global climate goals, fostering economic growth and environmental resilience. 🚀🌍👌🏽 🗣️Sources: Reuters https://lnkd.in/dv3_mAH7 Photo extracted from: https://lnkd.in/d6AQZjKN #ChinaAfricaPartnership #RenewableEnergyRevolution #EnergyTransition #ClimateAction #SustainableDevelopment #GreenInvestments #GlobalEnergy #ThoughtLeadership #LinkedInInfluencer #GreenTech #EnergySecurity #ClimateFinance #GreenAfrica #RenewableAfrica #CleanEnergyTransition #SustainableAfrica #ClimateActionNow #EnergyEfficiency #RenewableResources #SolarPower #WindEnergy #Hydropower #Bioenergy #CarbonNeutrality #EcoFriendlySolutions #GreenInvestments #EnergySecurity #SustainableFuture #ClimateLeadership #GreenInfrastructure #EconomicEmpowerment #EnvironmentalImpact #GreenJobs #InnovationInEnergy #CarbonFootprint #ClimateChangeMitigation #SustainableBusiness #GlobalPartnerships #followformore

"Energy investment in Africa needs to more than double by the end of the decade if the continent is to meet its #energy and #climate goals. However, high costs are putting off much-needed investment in the region’s #plentiful clean-energy resources and huge reserves of critical minerals," the International Energy Agency said. 600 million people in #Africa lack access to electricity & almost 1 billion lack access to #cleancooking ,making meeting these basic needs rather costly. Read more here: https://t.co/34eHVh77CJ #energy #climategoals #sdg7 #sdg13 #Africa

North Africa’s Renewables Revolution: Unlocking The Region’s Potential For Climate Resilience In the face of climate change challenges, North Africa – encompassing Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, and Sudan – emerges as a key player in the global energy transition. The region’s economies, heavily reliant on agriculture, fishery, and tourism, are increasingly disrupted by climate-related issues. However, with abundant solar and wind potential, North Africa is well-positioned to lead the way in renewables-based climate resilience. As the largest energy market in Africa, North Africa, excluding Sudan, stands out with notable socio-economic development, industrialization, and access to modern energy. This unique combination, coupled with the region’s vast renewables potential, positions North Africa […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/dj7qZf3Q #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #africa #algeria #egypt #libya #morocco #northafrica #renewableenergy #solarenergy #sudan #tunisia

As one solution, Dr Fadhel Kaboub, Senior Advisor for Power Shift Africa challenges COMESA and the rest of Africa to boost investments towards renewable energy, arguing this would safeguard implementation of regional projects that require adequate power in various sectors such as transportation, health, sanitation, education. “Africa cannot successfully implement the AFCTA without energy and transportation infrastructure so we need to boost investments towards renewable energy. It is not by accident that Africa's top oil exporters import most of their fuel from international suppliers in the global north, it is by design. Oil companies in the global north control the technologies for prospecting, drilling and refining fossil fuels, they use a classic play book to make oil rich countries energy poor and use their mercy to power our economies,“ Kaboub explained. https://lnkd.in/dKz8UcCe

#Africa Energy Transition Benefit Africa is the world’s youngest continent expected to be home to nearly 2.5 billion people by 2050. Eighty percent of them will live in Sub-Saharan Africa, where less than half of all people have access to electricity today, and as little as 16% have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies. Africa is also among the most vulnerable parts of the world in the face of climate change, and is already experiencing an increase in devastating flood- and drought-related food insecurity The energy transition, with its systematic shift to renewable energy needs to be understood not as a burden imposed on the world’s most vulnerable people, but as a vast opportunity to improve livelihoods across Africa in ways that transcend purely economic benefits. Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Africa and its Regions, reveals a global reduction in CO2 emissions in line with the Paris agreement could have a significant, positive impact on gross domestic product (GDP), job creation, and welfare across Africa, through ways such as reduced climate impacts, improved public health, and the creation of new industries that support the Energy Transition in and outside of Africa. Africa’s economies benefiting from the Energy Transition, will entail highlighting key insights and takeaways. The energy transition under IRENA’s 1.5-S pathway, measures the socio-economic outcomes under an energy scenario conform with the Paris Agreement to, boost Africa’s GDP throughout the entire outlook period up to 2050, compared with a planned policies scenario (PES) . On average, GDP is 7.5% higher in the first decade, and 6.4% higher over the nearly three decades until 2050. Renewable energy is key to the future of Africa, which is forecast to be home to 2 billion people by 2050. Meeting their needs with sustainable sources of energy will be vital to the continent’s socio-economic development. Much of this growth stems from the role the energy transition plays to boost demand for new product ranges and services, and to promote innovation in new technologies and knowledge-based products, thereby also generating jobs. While fossil fuel industries (coal, oil and natural gas) stand to lose under the energy transition, African economies can leverage on domestic strengths, increasingly addressing the value chain of manufacturing through domestic industrialisation. Education and training opportunities help build the basis for this development. Impact of the Energy Transition on Job Creation and Beyond By driving the development of new industries, the energy transition can also become a major job creation opportunity for Africa. Renewables can also play a central role in creating jobs, because investing in energy transition technologies creates up to three times as many jobs as fossil fuels per million of dollars spent.

Renewable energy capacity through time (2000–2023) Global renewable energy capacity has grown by 415% since 2000, or a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.4%. However, many large and wealthy regions, including the #UnitedStates and #Europe, maintain a lower average annual #renewable capacity growth. This chart, created in partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, shows how each world region has contributed to the growth in renewable energy capacity since 2000, using the latest data release from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Energy Trends in Developed Economies Between 2000 and 2023, global renewable capacity increased from 0.8 to 3.9 TW. This was led by #China, which added 1.4 TW, more than #Africa, #Europe, and #NorthAmerica combined. Renewable energy here includes #solar, #wind, #hydro (excluding pumped storage), #bioenergy, #geothermal, and #marineenergy. https://lnkd.in/eGj5YFC7 AFRICA’s renewable capacity has grown by 184% since 2000 with a CAGR of 4%. Over half of Africans – about 600 million – lack access to even the bare minimum of #electricity. The tough question to answer is how access can be extended without adding to global warming by relying on fossil fuels. Answer?? 76% of all electricity required on the #continent could come from renewable resources by 2040. Continue reading.. https://lnkd.in/eHR8EBfU AFRICA, we MUST try HARDER!! #AfricaYesWeCAN #TransformingAfrica #TheAfricaWeWant #AfCFTA #BrandAfrica #AU #GDP #Investment #Africa #AfricaMeansBusiness #ThisIsAfrica #Diaspora #IT #OneAfrica #AUC #TransAfricanHighway #SMEs #CreatingOneAfricanMarket #Invest #Tariffs #TheAfCFTAEffect #Trade #AI #AfricaRising #FDI #IntraAfricanTrade #Agenda2063 #Partnerships #AfCFTATV #WB #BuildBackBetter #InvestInAfrica #AfricanUnity #IMF #WTO #AfDB #TradeNotAid #AfCFTATrading #TravelToAfrica #CFTA #SAATM #TradeInAfrica #TradeUnderAfCFTA #JoinAfCFTA #AfricaOnTheMove #Infrastructure #Tourism #VisitAfrica #MadeInAfrica #AfCFTASecretariat #PanAfricanism #Investors #PAPSS #ZLECAF #AfricanSolutionsToAfricanProblems #Growth #BetterAfricaBetterWorld #StrongerTogether #Afreximbank #AfCFTA2024 #Africa2024 #UnitedUnderAfCFTA

Africa can potentially be a leader in clean energy, but too often, discussions around Africa's energy transition take a one-size-fits-all approach. But a new research report highlights why African nations must chart tailored pathways to adopting clean energy based on their unique local contexts. Making that shift will drive growth, create jobs, cut the risk of stranded fossil-fuel infrastructure and improve resilience to – and minimise damage to health and environment from – climate change. The research took a deep dive into the unique energy landscapes of Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mozambique and South Africa. It found vastly different starting points, opportunities and challenges for each country in achieving a high share of renewable energy. Some nations are primed for solar, wind and hydropower, while others have significant natural gas reserves to weigh against emissions goals. Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/e-_S_kHP #Africa #CleanEnergy #EnergyTransition #ClimateChange