West africa energy storage new energy

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.

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.

Why does West Africa have a low electricity rate?

West Africa has one of the lowest electricity generation capacities coupled with some of the highest electricity costs in Sub-Saharan Africa. The region's electrification rate is low. Furthermore, rising oil prices have increased the liabilities of electricity utilities and countries are staring at an acute power supply crisis that threatens to upend their economic growth.

Is West Africa on the cusp of a regional power market?

“West Africa is on the cusp of a regional power market that promises significant development benefits and potential for private sector participation,” stated Charles Cormier, Practice Manager in the Energy Global Practice at the World Bank.

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 are the risks of a heatwave in West Africa?

In West Africa, many countries face the double threat of frequent heatwaves, which can strain electricity infrastructure and create fire-prone conditions, and flooding, which can submerge transformers and substations and sweep away distribution lines.