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A transformation of existing, poorly used or unexploited energy infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa could represent lower-cost and lower-risk opportunities for investors and ensure access to sustainably generated electricity for 15.4 million people, according to a JRC paper published today in Nature Energy. This effort requires a €1-1.5 billion of investment for ensuring additional 1.1GW of power capacity.
The findings are based on an approach that identifies already existing infrastructure. This means that part of the investment has already been done and it builds on already available human capacities as technicians and managers keep on operating and maintaining the infrastructure. The authors developed a tailor-made multi-layer spatial analysis and processed satellite night images to identify rural mini-grids.
The work resulted in a map of three categories of infrastructure: non-powered dams that can be converted to hydroelectric power facilities; rural mini-grids that can integrate solar PV systems; and coal power plants that could burn biomass (bagasse, a sugarcane residue), either together with coal or separately. Mauritius represents an interesting example of bagasse co-firing. Sugar refineries provide close to half of the island nation’s electricity supply, with roughly half of this derived from bagasse used during the cropping season. The balance is derived from coal, which is burnt during the off-season.
The non-powered dams were originally constructed for one or more non-energy purposes, such as irrigation or flood control. A subset of these dams, which meet certain conditions, are attractive option because they can easily be retrofitted to produce electricity. Of the hundreds of African non-powered dams analysed, 52 have a potential to generate >1MW and 39 have a mini-hydro (<1MW) potential.
Existing rural mini-grids combined with PV can result in half the electricity cost of new PV investments. This is due to the lower battery costs that typically constitute 40% of the total system cost and the existing distribution lines.
Although the estimated number of beneficiaries of the transformation of existing infrastructures in sub-Saharan Africa represents only 2% to 3% of the population without access to electricity, this approach identifies projects that can provide genuine momentum to scale up renewable energy investments for the private sector.
The JRC has been very active in research to help reduce energy poverty in sub-Saharan Africa. Within the Renewable Energy Mapping and Monitoring in Europe and Africa (REMEA) project it has mapped the renewable energy potential in Africa and highlighted low-cost options. Moreover, the African Renewable Energy Technology Platform (AFRETEP) involved the African academia and policy-making organisations by creating a wide network of African research institutions dealing with renewable energy. Apart from detecting, analysing and monitoring the spatial distribution of the African potential, ongoing JRC activities include supporting the initiatives of the Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development in Africa.
Published: 10-10-16
