Scarcity in abundance: The challenges of promoting energy access in the Southern African region (original) (raw)

Energy, environment and socio-economic development: Africa's triple challenge and options

2011

This chapter espouses the spatial relationships between energy, environment and socioeconomic development, as some of the main challenges African countries are grappling with. Energy is the main driver of all forms of socioeconomic activities occurring within the human space over time. In Africa, however, low access to energy has, to a greater extent, hampered the socioeconomic development of the continent. Although the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) do not specifically stipulate on any energy target, the realization of all the goals stands threatened if households, commercial and industrial activities do not get the rightful access in terms of availability and affordability to energy systems, including their appropriate conversion technologies. The authors explore the dynamics of energy, socioeconomic development and environmental sustainability in a nexus of the triple challenges facing Africa, from different African scenarios. In Africa, the obstacles opposing the continent's bid to expand the energy frontiers from the traditional sources of wood and fossil fuels into other second and third generation energy forms have been constructed in the areas of intense competition for arable lands for food crops and feed stocks cultivation. Suffice to say that increasing population densities, food shortages and insecurity and malnutrition with associated diseases have culminated into acute forms of poverty in recent years in Africa; the problems have been aggravated by the wanton degradation of the environmental resource base and the over-dependence of particular energy mix at both the rural and the urban settings. The above disposition therefore, militates greatly against the socioeconomic efforts of most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. From a systemic perspective, the energy sector which drives almost every sub-sector of the broader socioeconomic activity needs to factor the environmental consequences of extraction and use, with the attending impacts of climate variability and change in a vicious cycle of sustainability.

Integrated Sustainable Energy for Sub-Saharan Africa: A Case Study of Machinga Boma in Malawi

Energies, 2021

Nearly 60% of the population of sub-Saharan Africa still live without access to electricity. Comparing the access rate of the countries in the region, Malawi ranks as one of the least electrified, with electricity available to only 14.6% of its population, as of 2018. This issue makes Malawi the case study of this research and poses the research question, “How can the low electricity access rate in Malawi be addressed?”. To address this research question, possible off grid, integrated, sustainable energy systems based on locally available energy resources—solar, wind, and diesel—are proposed. The multiyear and sensitivity analysis function of HOMER Pro microgrid simulation software is used to analyze the off grid performance of the proposed combinations of diesel generators, wind turbines, solar Photovoltaics, and battery storage, in providing power for an estimate of 400 households and nonresidential outlets in Machinga Boma, a community in the Southern region of Malawi. Based on t...

Integrating energy access, efficiency and renewable energy policies in sub-Saharan Africa: a model-based analysis

Environmental Research Letters, 2020

The role of energy in social and economic development is recognised by sustainable development goal 7 that targets three aspects of energy access: ensure universal access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services, substantially increase the share of renewable energy, and double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency. With the projected increase in population, income and energy access in sub-Saharan Africa, demand for energy services is expected to increase. This increase can be met through increasing the supply while at the same time improving households’ energy efficiency. In this paper, we explore the interactions between the three SDG7 targets by applying two integrated assessment models, IMAGE and MESSAGE, that incorporate socio-economic heterogeneity of the end-user. The results of the study depict the synergistic relationships between the three SDG7 objectives. Relative to pursuing only the universal access target, integration of all three targets could (...

Southern Africa-Towards Inclusive Economic Development Quantifying the Macro-and Socio-Economic Benefits of a Transition to Renewable Energy in South Africa Part 1 : The Energy Landscape

2018

Recent technical advances in renewable energy technologies are causing the contours of the global power sector to change. There have been dramatic gains in wind generation, PV generation, storage, and system integration. In 2016, global investment in renewables was roughly twice that in fossil fuel generation. South Africa, which has an energy system that is predominantly based on coal, is facing mounting international pressure to decarbonize. However, it needs to do so without compromising its other socio-economic objectives of energy access and poverty reduction. Fortunately, South Africa is well endowed with renewable energy resources and, given technological progress, this socio-economically acceptable decarbonization should be possible. This paper lays the foundation for the analysis of the macroand socioeconomic benefits of a transition in the power sector to be made using a linked energy-economy modelling framework called SATIMGE. SATIMGE is made up of an energy systems model...

Editorial: Special Issue - Energy Transitions in the Global South and Africa: Policy Imperatives, System Dynamics and Challenges

2022

Energy poverty is pervasive with significant health and well-being ramifications, especially for the Global South (United Nations Environment Program [UNEP], 2021). Energy-impoverished communities are those that are dependent on traditional solid fuels and flammable hydrocarbons that are usually burnt in unsafe, inefficient and polluting stoves. The health and economic consequences are far-reaching, primarily through household air pollution, burn injuries and poisonings, with consequential health, neurological and psychological outcomes (Haagsma, et al., 2016; Wolf, Prüss-Ustün & Vickers, 2016). The socioeconomic ramifications of the energy burden are enormous and generate social exclusion while limiting development in the affected countries (Guzowski, Martin & Zabaloy, 2021). With the accumulation of evidence of the impact of energy impoverishment, there have been increasing calls for expedited and inclusive transitions to safe and health-promotive energy. For such transitions to be truly just, they must centre on the needs of energy-impoverished people to ensure that no one is left behind (UNEP, 2021). There is also increasing consensus that access to safe and clean domestic energy is pivotal, if not a prerequisite, for a range of other global priorities beyond health, including environmental protection and sustainability, economic development and gender equality (Wolf et al., 2016). The significance of clean energy is highlighted in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with

The expanding horizon of renewable energy in sub-Saharan Africa: Leading research in the social sciences

Energy Research & Social Science, 2015

Africa faces numerous energy hurdles: low rates of access to electricity, decaying infrastructure, harm- ful cookstoves, and reliance on wood that leads to deforestation, among others. While many have long researched Africa’s fossil fuel abundance, only recently have social scientists studied renewable energy in Africa. In this lead article for a “Special Issue on Renewable Energy in Sub-Saharan Africa: Contrib- utions from the Social Sciences,” I begin by outlining the challenges Africa faces with respect to energy issues, along with the role of renewable energy today and the potential for increasing energy supply. I then discuss gaps in the literature followed by details on how the authors for the Special Issue collec- tively contribute to our understanding of renewable energy in Africa. I first note that most of the authors use qualitative methods, and then discuss key findings, including the importance of understanding cul- ture, accommodating rural communities, fostering capacity-building, finding the money, and leveraging regionalism. I conclude with ways to overcome challenges of researching this topic and other opportu- nities for research that are not covered in depth here, such as gender analysis and the role of China and South Africa.

Systems analyses and the sustainable transfer of renewable energy technologies: A focus on remote areas of Africa

Renewable Energy, 2009

Sustainable energy provision is regarded as one of the most significant challenges facing the realm of development, especially in Africa where large proportions of the population still lack access to energy services. Although there have been much efforts to address these problems with renewable energy technologies, there have also been substantial failures and problems. The Intermediate Technology Development Group (ITDG) has developed a manual that seeks to address these implementation issues. The Renewable Energy for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods workgroup has also developed such a framework, termed SURE, which is a multi-criteria decision analysis modelling tool. Both of these frameworks rely heavily on the Sustainable Livelihoods Approach and emphasise the need to rigorously analyse the sub-systems where technologies are to be introduced. These two frameworks have been integrated and assessed in terms of their applicability for the South African rural renewable energy landscape through a Delphi study conducted with several experts in the energy sector. The results indicate that the integrated framework is suitable for the South African context, with additions to the ITDG and SURE frameworks suggested. Finally the paper highlights a potential concern in the South African renewable energy industry in that technology assessment methods that are utilised in practise do not incorporate the concepts of sustainability science adequately; this must be addressed through further case study research efforts.

INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGIES IN AFRICA

INTRODUCTION TO RENEWABLE ENERGIES IN AFRICA, 2019

Compared to the rest of the world, there is a general shortage of energy related information in Africa (on potential of energy resources, actual installed systems and current energy use). This lack of information is even more apparent for renewable energies. It is indeed difficult to compare the potentialities for the different energy options due to the scattered validated information. Nevertheless, available data sources are in agreement in describing a difficult situation as far as access to energy is concerned. The high share of rural population, coupled with the low ability and willingness to pay, the low per capita energy consumption and the high rate of non-electrified rural areas, has traditionally pushed rural communities to make use of locally available energy sources, mostly biomass from agriculture residues and forest ad savannah wood for their daily cooking and heating needs. Renewable energy resources are diffuse in the territory and mapping their physical availability can only be the first step in understanding their exploitation especially for people without modern forms of energy in Africa. A deep knowledge of the existing and feasible energy infrastructures is fundamental for moving towards the assessment of the economically utilizable renewable energy. Indeed, according to IEA data, 99.6% of the African population without electricity access is concentrated in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries, reflecting the great disparities in the different African regions caused also by the still unbalanced development of the energy production and transport infrastructures in the continent. In summary, if properly exploited, renewable energies are a big opportunity for improving the currently very poor access to energy for rural communities. Keywords: Access to renewable energy, current state of energy, exploitation, infrastructure, availability Introduction Energy is crucial in the fight against poverty, as it is among the greatest drivers of development. Ancient and modern civilizations rose on the back of energy. From captive humans to coal and oil, energy has played a central role in human progress, as it enables mass production of goods and services [ ]. A paradigm shift in transitioning to a new form of energy defines human progress as well as its quality of civilization. However, a step in achieving this progression does not happen until a society fully recognizes the heavy economic, social and environmental costs arising from the energy form it is using. While oil and coal are far more efficient than rudimentary energy forms, they also come with bouts of economic, social, and environmental costs. When a society is not prepared for a change, that society can continue to stick with what it has and knows best. This is true of South Sudan, as it seems to stick to oil, a form of energy that is not able to meet its needs in an efficient and sustainable manner. The African countries must prepare as there is an opportunity for them to transition to an efficient and renewable energy, and this can happen when they fully recognize the costs associated with the exploitation of fossil fuel and embarks on a full transition to renewable energy. Access to Energy in African Countries Compared to the rest of the world, there is a general shortage of energy related information in Africa (on potential of energy resources, actual installed systems and current energy use). This lack of information is even more apparent for renewable energies. It is indeed difficult to compare the potential for the different energy options due to the scattered validated information. Nevertheless, available data sources are in agreement in describing a difficult situation as far as access to energy is concerned.

Selected ‘Starter Kit’ energy system modelling data for Namibia (#CCG)

Research Square (Research Square), 2021

Energy system modelling can be used to assess the implications of different scenarios and support improved policymaking. However, access to data is often a barrier to energy system modelling, causing delays. Therefore, this article provides data that can be used to create a simple zero order energy system model for Colombia, which can act as a starting point for further model development and scenario analysis. The data are collected entirely from publicly available and accessible sources, including the websites and databases of international organizations, journal articles, and existing modelling studies. This means that the dataset can be easily updated based on the latest available information or more detailed and accurate local data. These data were also used to calibrate a simple energy system model using the Open Source Energy Modelling System (OSeMOSYS) and three stylized scenarios (Fossil Future, Least Cost and Net Zero by 2050) for 2020-2050. The assumptions used and results of these scenarios are presented in the appendix as an illustrative example of what can be done with these data. This simple model can be adapted and further developed by in-country analysts and academics, providing a platform for future work. Speci cations Table Speci cations Table Subject Energy Speci c subject area Energy System Modelling Type of data Tables Graphs Charts Description of modelling assumptions How data were acquired Literature survey (databases and reports from international organisations; journal articles) Data format Raw and Analysed Parameters for data collection Data collected based on inputs required to create an energy system model for Colombia Description of data collection Data were collected from the websites, annual reports and databases of international organisations, as well as from academic articles and existing modelling databases. Data source location Not applicable Data accessibility With the article and in a repository. Repository name: Zenodo. Data identi cation number: v1.0.0. Direct URL to data: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5498091 [35]. Value Of The Data These data can be used to develop national energy system models to inform national energy investment outlooks and policy plans, as well as provide insights on the evolution of the electricity supply system under different trajectories. The data are useful for country analysts, policy makers and the broader scienti c community, as a zero-order starting point for model development. These data could be used to examine a range of possible energy system pathways, in addition to the examples given in this study, to provide further insights on the evolution of the country's power system. The data can be used both for conducting an analysis of the power system but also for capacity building activities. Also, the methodology of translating the input data into modelling assumptions for a cost-optimization tool is presented here which is useful for developing a zero order Tier 2 national energy model [1]. This is consistent with U4RIA energy planning goals [2].