Africa has about 60% of the world’s solar resources. But now the country holds only 1.5% of global renewable energy capacity.
At the same time, nearly 600 million people in the area still live without electricity, especially in Central and West Africa. Clearly, solar power has the potential to transform millions of lives.
A strong example is the KHI Solar One project in South Africa’s Northern Cape, which generates 50 MW of power.
It can produce electricity to power 40,000 homes all day and all night. But even with such great projects, Africa is still behind other regions in using renewable energy.
The solar panel imports are the main reason behind this shift, mainly from China. In just the past year, imports went up by 60%, bringing more than 15 GW worth of solar panels to Africa.
Africa needs big investments and better infrastructure for this dream to come true. There are many Programs, like the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), that are working to bring in private funding and shape better policies to support renewable growth.
For the growth, African leaders have set a goal of adding 300 GW of renewable energy by 2030. Experts also believe that up to 90% of Africa’s electricity could come from green energy sources like solar, wind, and water by 2050.
Overall, Africa’s solar future looks very bright. If potential is used wisely, the region could not only meet its energy needs but also improve its economy.
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