West africa singularity energy storage

Can Africa close the energy-access gap?

Photo: Vincent Tremeau One of the resounding messages of the recent Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit was that closing the energy-access gap—for electricity and clean cooking— is possible. This gap remains enormous in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural and isolated areas.

How many people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack electricity?

Roughly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity. The World Bank Group, together with the African Development Bank, has committed to providing access to electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. Many of us take turning on a light switch or connecting our devices to a home Wi-Fi network for granted.

Can Africa bring electricity to 300 million people by 2030?

The partnership created an ambitious plan to bring electricity to 300 million people by 2030. [03:33] Lindelwa Mtongana: And moving forward with that plan was the focus of the Mission 300 Africa Energy Summit, a recent gathering of leaders, partners, and the private sector in Tanzania.

What is the electricity gap in Sub-Saharan Africa?

This gap remains enormous in Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in rural and isolated areas. Nearly 600 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa live without access to electricity, representing nearly 83% of the world’s unelectrified population.

How will battery-energy storage technology benefit WAPP operators?

Battery-energy storage technologies will enable WAPP operators to store renewable energy generated at non-peak hours and dispatch it during peak demand, instead of relying on more carbon-intensive generation technology when the demand is high, the sun is not shining, or the wind is not blowing.

What is the largest photovoltaic plant in West Africa?

Scheduled for completion in 2026, the Kolda solar farm project stands out as the largest photovoltaic plant with BESS project in West Africa. This ambitious project will set a benchmark for the region by combining large-scale solar energy production with cutting-edge battery storage technology.