Electricity access has fallen for the first time in seven years in sub-Saharan Africa, but a boost to solar power could offer a way forward, says the chief of the International Energy Agency (IEA). An additional 13 million people across sub-Saharan African countries did not have any access to electricity this year, according to the IEA, an […]
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South Africa’s Cities to Switch to Solar as Power Monopoly Ends
South Africa’s biggest cities are preparing to source their own power after the energy ministry this month approved letting them wean themselves off the state utility that’s subjected cities to outages for the past 13 years. Johannesburg and Cape Town, which have a combined population of about 10 million people, plan to diversify away from the […]
Off-grid power takes off in Africa
Africa’s leaders are learning to love off-grid renewable energy. What used to be seen as, at best, an adjunct to large-scale thermal and hydro-based national grid supply is now being recognised as a major weapon in the drive to provide electricity access to all Africans. The adjustment from policies based around centrally managed grids […]
Nigeria launches off-grid solar tender
The Nigerian Ministry of Power has launched a tender for the construction of several off-grid solar systems and other electrical infrastructure projects to improve access to energy in underserved areas. The ministry listed five solar projects in the “Works” category: Construction of off-grid/on-grid renewable energy (solar) micro utility in Umuchiaka, Lowa Autonomous Community in Ihite, […]
CHAD: EAV invests in ZIZ to supply solar energy to companies and households
The investment fund Energy Access Ventures (EAV) has recently announced its investment in ZIZ Energie, a solar energy provider based in Chad. The financing will enable the deployment of ZIZ’s photovoltaic solar power access solutions in cities, territories and for business. Only 11% of Chadians have access to electricity. The Central African country is […]
Energy can power Africa’s recovery from pandemic and recession
Too often in human history, access to reliable and affordable energy has been a privilege for the few when it should be a basic right for all. This has been especially true in Africa where – despite remarkable progress in recent years – hundreds of millions of people still have no electricity. Now, a […]