The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa is a multi-donor special fund that aims to promote private sector investment in sustainable energy. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The African Development Bank’s (AfDB) African Natural Resources Centre and the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa has hosted the first in a series of webinars discussing the potential of Africa’s blue economy
Africa is expected to be a hydrogen export hub. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The green hydrogen economy has been gaining traction across the globe as the world is moving towards de-carbonisation and greener energy
Solar PV remains the powerhouse of growth in renewable electricity, with its capacity additions forecast to increase by 17% in 2021 to a new record of almost 160GW. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The growth of the world’s capacity to generate electricity from solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable technologies is on course to accelerate over the coming years, with 2021 expected to set a fresh all-time record for new installations, the IEA says in a new report
Despite rising costs for key materials used to make solar panels and wind turbines, additions of new renewable power capacity this year are forecast to rise to 290 gigawatts (GW) in 2021, surpassing the previous all-time high set last year, according to the latest edition of the IEA’s annual Renewables Market Report.
By 2026, global renewable electricity capacity is forecast to rise more than 60% from 2020 levels to over 4 800 GW – equivalent to the current total global power capacity of fossil fuels and nuclear combined. Renewables are set to account for almost 95% of the increase in global power capacity through 2026, with solar PV alone providing more than half. The amount of renewable capacity added over the period of 2021 to 2026 is expected to be 50% higher than from 2015 to 2020. This is driven by stronger support from government policies and more ambitious clean energy goals announced before and during the COP26 Climate Change Conference.
“This year’s record renewable electricity additions of 290GW are yet another sign that a new global energy economy is emerging. The high commodity and energy prices we are seeing today pose new challenges for the renewable industry, but elevated fossil fuel prices also make renewables even more competitive,” said Fatih Birol, executive director IAE.
The growth of renewables is forecast to increase in all regions compared with the 2015-2020 period. China remains the global leader in the volume of capacity additions: it is expected to reach 1200 GW of total wind and solar capacity in 2026 – four years earlier than its current target of 2030. India is set to come top in terms of the rate of growth, doubling new installations compared with 2015-2020. Deployments in Europe and the United States are also on track to speed up significantly from the previous five years. These four markets together account for 80% of renewable capacity expansion worldwide.
Solar PV remains the powerhouse of growth in renewable electricity, with its capacity additions forecast to increase by 17% in 2021 to a new record of almost 160 GW. In the same time frame, onshore wind additions are set to be almost one-quarter higher on average than during the 2015-20 period. Total offshore wind capacity is forecast to more than triple by 2026.
The IEA report expects this record growth for renewables to take place despite today’s high commodity and transport prices. However, should commodity prices remain high through the end of next year, the cost of wind investments would go back up to levels last seen in 2015 and three years of cost reductions for solar PV would be erased.
Despite rising prices limiting growth, global biofuel demand in 2021 is forecast to surpass 2019 levels, rebounding from last year’s huge decline caused by the pandemic. Demand for biofuels is set to grow strongly to 2026, with Asia accounting for almost 30% of new production. India is expected to rise to become the third largest market for ethanol worldwide, behind the USA and Brazil.
Governments can further accelerate the growth of renewables by addressing key barriers, such as permitting and grid integration challenges, social acceptance issues, inconsistent policy approaches, and insufficient remuneration.
Country spotlight sessions took centre stage, with delegates from Ghana, South Africa, Egypt, Namibia, Nigeria, Kenya. (Image source: Energy Net)
The 2021 gathering marked 23rd anniversary of the Africa Energy Forum (AEF), celebrated in London this year
Wärtsilä’s reciprocating gas engine technology and innovative energy management systems play an important role in response to Africa’s growing demand for flexible and reliable electricity. (Image source: Wärtsilä Energy)
With more than 600 power plants commissioned in 46 African countries, Wärtsilä is set to expand its position as one of the leading providers of power generation solutions in the continent
The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of more than 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers. (Image source: Bell)
GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)
The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)
ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)
The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)
Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)
Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)
IVECO is renewing its entire product range, all at once. (Image source: IVECO)
The MoU was signed alongside the Africa Health Business Symposium. (Image source: Africa CDC)
Both the IMF and EIU expect SSA to rank as the world’s second fastest growing economy in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
There has been a focus on the sugar industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Evolving concept of energy security must address energy demand, system flexibility, technology access and infrastructure development, says IRENA. (Image source: IRENA)
World Bank & African Development Bank partner to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030, leveraging public-private investments. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
(L-R): Dr Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali and Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – processing, Africa and co-head group processing, Network International. (Image source: Network International)
At WFES, Gotion High-tech will showcase its latest products and leading green energy solutions at its booth. (Image source: Gotion High-tech)
The new Perkins 5012 is a full-authority electronic engine optimised and purpose-built for power generation applications. (Image source: Perkins)
SSAB will begin deliveries of the new products in 2026.
The key issues restricting sub-Saharan Africa’s manufacturing sector will be unpacked at Manufacturing Indaba later this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
Through the innovative solution, each vessel can fill two tank containers on average between two ports. (Image source: Maersk)
Hyphen is developing sub-Saharan Africa’s largest, most advanced and only fully-vertical integrated green hydrogen project. (Image source: Hyphen)
According to Liebherr, the Used Equipment Marketplace is extremely user-friendly. (Image source: Liebherr)
Electricity storage will be pivotal in unlocking renewable projects and meeting energy demand. (Image source: Adobe Stock)
With RFID, assets can be given unique digital identities that enable users to identify and locate them all at once, from a distance, in real time. (Image source: Brady)
Africa Data Centres and DPA SA have broken ground on their solar farm in the Free State. (Image source: Africa Data Centres)
A Cat PM310 Cold Planer in action. (Image source: Caterpillar)
A larger stockholding of WEG products facilitates ready access for customers. (Image source: WEG Africa)
