African nations should diversify energy supplies

By Sophie Chapman
Countries in Africa have been warned about the repercussions of hydropower reliance, Reuters states. The continent has rec...

Countries in Africa have been warned about the repercussions of hydropower reliance, Reuters states.

The continent has recently suffered from droughts, which has affected both food security and energy supply.

Industry experts highlighted the dangers of hydropower dependence at The World Energy Council’s INDABA Energy Leader’s Dialogue, held in Johannesburg on 20 February.

With low levels of water, due to dry and hot weather conditions, hydropower is not accessible at all times.

Zambia’s Executive Director of the Energy Regulation Board, Langiwe Lungu, talked of the issue climate change has had on the nation’s energy supply.

SEE ALSO:

In 2016, the country’s electricity deficit hit 1,000MW at Kariba Dam, one of Zambia’s main generators, was highly impacted by drought.

The weather has not only affected the nation’s energy, but it’s mining – with Glencore’s Zambian Copper Mines having to partly suspend operations.

Since, the company has diversified its energy mix, also using solar, coal, and heavy fuel oil.

“At one point our energy supply was 99 percent from hydropower but now we are at about 85 percent,” Lungu noted.

In Kenya, citizens are currently having to spend significantly more on energy and the government has little access to hydropower.

“We have been forced to use diesel power plant in Muhoroni to supplement the power shortage being experienced in the western region,” the nation’s Energy Cabinet Secretary, Charles Keter, reported during a hydropower station tour.

Share

Featured Articles

Inaugural trans-Atlantic flight highlights SAF importance

Virgin Atlantic’s first 100% SAF-powered flight from London to New York leads the way towards greener aviation fuels for long-haul journeys

IBM collaboration to boost fuel cell performance using GenAI

FuelCell Energy’s performance is set to be enhanced by Foundation Models, a form of GenAI developed by IBM, in support of transition to renewable energy

Schneider Electric exec shuffle boosts energy digitalisation

Number one sustainable company, as voted by Sustainability Magazine, Schneider Electric appointed leaders to manage the digitalisation of energy solutions

ManpowerGroup initiative aligns talent with renewable energy

Renewable Energy

Rolls-Royce develops SMRs for a low-carbon energy future

Sustainability

Chevron’s hydrogen investment and green energy endeavours

Renewable Energy