| World news Africa SEFA highlights hydropower modernisation as catalyst for Africa’s energy transition
The Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA), managed by the African Development Bank, has emphasized the importance of hydropower modernisation in meeting the growing demand for renewable energy in Africa. This message was conveyed during the Africa Energy Forum, held in Nairobi from June 20-23, with support from the Government of Kenya, the African Development Bank, IFC, and other partners. A session titled ‘Hydropower Modernisation to Accelerate Africa’s
Energy Transition’ shed light on the significant potential of renovating existing hydropower infrastructure. The session, moderated by Dr. Daniel Schroth, Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency at the African Development Bank, highlighted the advantages of this approach. Upgrading existing facilities allows for the rapid availability of dispatchable renewable energy, reduces the time required for project completion, and provides opportunities for integrating variable renewable energy sources such as floating solar. In conjunction with the Africa Energy Forum, the African
Development Bank, in collaboration with the International Hydropower Association (IHA), launched a flagship report entitled “Africa Hydropower Modernisation Programme: Continent-wide Mapping of Hydropower Rehabilitation Candidates.” This comprehensive report assesses the requirements for modernising hydropower infrastructure across Africa and offers valuable insights to advance the continent’s renewable energy generation. Eddie Rich, CEO of the International Hydropower Association, acknowledged the significant potential of hydropower modernisation in Africa. He urged governments to incentivise sustainable hydropower development and refurbishment through financial and market mechanisms that promote flexibility. Rich also emphasized the
importance of streamlining permitting and licensing processes to accelerate the development of renewables while incorporating hydropower sustainability practices into government regulations. The report identified 21 hydropower stations in high need and 36 in medium need of refurbishment out of the 87 stations screened. These stations have a combined installed capacity of 4.6GW and 10GW, respectively, representing a substantial opportunity for modernisation. In response to these findings, SEFA has prioritized providing technical and financial support to these projects. The initiative also involves close coordination with partner institutions to ensure additional support is available.
João Cunha, Head of SEFA at the African Development Bank, emphasized the significance of the Africa Hydropower Modernisation Programme and the accompanying report in accelerating investments in Africa’s aging hydropower infrastructure. Cunha stated that hydropower modernisation goes beyond infrastructure upgrades, serving as a means to decarbonize and enhance the flexibility and resilience of power systems, critical components of a successful energy transition. The Africa Energy Forum also featured an interactive panel discussion involving key stakeholders in the hydropower sector. Matteo Bianciotto, Senior Policy Manager at the International Hydropower Association; Marcelino Gildo Alberto, Chairman and CEO of Electricidade de Mozambique; Atinuke Taiwo, Executive Director & General Counsel at Mainstream Energy Solutions; Eluma Obibuaku, Senior Vice President and Head of Power at Africa Finance Corporation; and Angela Nalikka, African Development Bank Division Manager for Public Private Partnerships & Advisory, contributed to the engaging exchange of ideas and perspectives.
Global
Annual renewable power must triple by 2030 to achieve climate goals, says IRENA report The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has released its World Energy Transitions Outlook (WETO) 2023, emphasizing the urgent need for a significant increase in renewable power capacity. The report highlights the importance of tripling annual renewable power additions by 2030 to stay on track with the 1.5°C climate target set by the Paris Agreement. WETO 2023: 1.5°C Pathway, the first volume of the series, identifies the key drivers for the transition to a sustainable energy system, which include electrification, energy efficiency, and the utilization of renewable energy sources such as hydropower, biomass, and clean hydrogen. While some progress has been made, particularly in the power sector, with a record 300GW of global renewable capacity added in 2022, the report highlights the growing gap between achieved targets and what is required to combat climate change effectively. To bridge this gap, more ambitious renewable
energy targets are essential. The report calls for the world to add an average of 1000GW of renewable power capacity annually by 2030 and significantly increase the direct use of renewables in various sectors. These recommendations
provide valuable insights and priority actions for policymakers as the first Global Stocktake concludes at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates. Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, expressed concern over the current trajectory, stating: “ We face the harsh reality that we are not on track to deliver on the Paris Agreement. Our only option is to follow the most promising, science-based pathway – one that puts renewable energy at the centre of the solution, while leading countries to energy security, reduced energy costs, and forward- looking industrial development.” La Camera emphasized the need for COP28 and the Global Stocktake to not only acknowledge the deviation from the 1.5°C pathway but also provide a strategic blueprint to redirect efforts and achieve climate goals. H.E. Dr Sultan al-Jaber, President-Designate of COP28, echoed these sentiments, welcoming IRENA’s recommendations and emphasizing the importance of implementing a solid pathway to meet the targets. Al-Jaber called for rapid scaling up of renewables, supported by accessible and affordable financing, streamlined permitting processes, and expanded grid infrastructure. He also reaffirmed a shared commitment with the European Union to garner maximum support among COP28 parties to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Addressing the barriers hindering progress in the energy transition, the WETO report identifies the lack of physical infrastructure, inadequate policies and regulations, and skill and institutional capacity gaps as key challenges. International cooperation and collaboration are crucial to overcoming these obstacles. The report emphasizes the roles and responsibilities of national and regional entities, international organizations, financial institutions, and multilateral development banks in facilitating the transition to renewable energy and ensuring funds reach vulnerable communities. While greater volumes of funding are needed for other energy transition technologies, such as biofuels, geothermal energy, and hydropower, the report highlights that hydropower remains the largest renewable power source in terms of installed capacity. Global hydropower capacity (excluding pumped hydro) reached 1256GW in 2022, accounting for 37% of total renewable capacity.
Under the 1.5°C Scenario, the report projects that global installed hydropower capacity (excluding pumped hydro) will increase by almost 21% from 2020 levels, reaching 1465GW by 2030. By 2050, global hydropower capacity is expected to double from the 2020 level, exceeding 2500GW. Achieving these targets would require an average annual addition of
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