Refurbishment | modernisation is the key Hydropower
Recent studies have highlighted the significant role modernising existing hydropower assets can play in accelerating the African energy transition
IHA’s CEO Eddie Rich said: “The potential for
hydropower modernisation in Africa is significant and is a relatively easy way to deliver much needed access to electricity and clean water. We encourage governments to incentivise sustainable hydropower development and modernisation through financial and market mechanisms that reward flexibility, accelerate the development of renewables through streamlined permitting and licensing, and embed hydropower sustainability practices in government regulation.”
Screening study As SEFA’s report states, although Africa has the highest
Above: Kariba Dam on the Zambezi river basin between Zambia and Zimbabwe
HYDROPOWER MODERNISATION SHOULD BE seen as a key element of meeting the accelerating demand for renewable energy across Africa and, as the African- Development Bank-managed Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa (SEFA) stated at the recent Africa Energy Forum, renovating existing hydropower infrastructure represents a compelling opportunity because greenfield hydropower projects have high upfront costs, significant environmental and social impacts, and long lead times before they come onstream. According to the African Development Bank’s
Below: Hydropower in Uganda. Nineteen hydropower stations in East Africa were assessed during this recent study.
Director for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, Dr Daniel Schroth: “Modernising existing hydropower assets is an accelerator for Africa’s energy transition and can increase the availability of dispatchable renewable energy in a relatively short period of time while providing opportunities for integrating variable renewable energy sources, such as floating solar.” The event, which was held in Nairobi from 20-23 June 2023, also marked the launch of a flagship report entitled: “Africa Hydropower Modernisation Programme: Continent-wide Mapping of Hydropower Rehabilitation Candidates.” Produced by the African Development Bank under SEFA’s Africa Hydropower Modernisation Programme (AHMP) in collaboration with the International Hydropower Association, it offers a comprehensive assessment of what is needed to modernise hydropower infrastructure across Africa, paving the way to advance the continent’s renewable energy generation.
30 | September 2023 |
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percentage of untapped hydropower potential of any inhabited continent (only about 10% is being utilised), 47% of installed capacity is over 40 years old and 60% more than 30 years old. Thus significant opportunities exist to improve the general and specific needs of different assets, countries, and regions as part of a future holistic strategy for a clean, reliable, and sustainable energy system. The report presents the results of a 12-month long, high-level continental-wide screening study. Carried out by the IHA and looking at the status of the main hydropower facilities in Africa, the study included: Screening of the IHA’s world hydropower database. A webinar with the owners and operators of plants to describe the intent and possible outcomes of this work and how it relates to AHMP. Station-level data collection to classify the status of the assets reviewed.
An overview was given of hydropower capacity in participating countries of each region, and inluded: North Africa – Consisting of Morocco, Egypt, Sudan and Algeria with a total capacity of 3094MW in seven hydropower stations. West Africa – Cote D’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Mali with a total capacity of 3801MW across ten hydropower stations. East Africa – Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe with a total capacity of 2101MW across 19 hydropower stations. Central Africa – Congo, DRC, Cameroon and Gabon with a total capacity of 3146MW across 13 hydropower stations. South Africa – South Africa and Namibia with a total capacity of 12098MW across 38 hydropower stations.
The key drivers and opportunities for modernisation projects were cited as being: Refurbishment and upgrading plants. Decarbonisation and balancing variable renewables.
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