Energy

The 158.7MW Taiba N’Diaye Wind Farm in Senegal. (Image source: Infinity Power)

Infinity Power, a joint venture between Infinity and Masdar, has set a target of developing 10GW of operational renewable energy across Africa by 2030, and Ahmed Mulla, deputy CEO of the company, sat down Africa Review with to explore this progress

African Review (AR): What progress has been made towards the 10GW goal and are you on course to meet it?

Ahmed Mulla (AM): 10,000MW is a very ambitious target, but currently around 600 million people in Africa – 50% of the population – are without energy access. So, in that context, there is plenty that can be done. Africa is infrastructure. As such, we are working on providing holistic proposals that complement renewable energy generation from solar, wind, biomass and hydro, with the inclusion of battery storage, that is necessary in order to connect the generation to the demand centres.

If we look at our shareholders, we have the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar), whose major shareholder is TAQA. TAQA is heavily interested and invested in infrastructure. Another of our shareholders is the Africa Finance Corporation, also heavily focused on infrastructure in the continent.

We don’t just have the financial backing of our shareholders, but also their expertise and willpower to invest in the necessary foundations to deploy the renewable energy required.

AR: How are you countering some of the challenges that come associated with financing projects on the continent?

AM: We are venturing out of our core markets (Egypt and South Africa) which have a bankable, predictable regime and tenders. We are going into new markets, some of which do not have the ability to provide sovereign guarantees, and this is one challenge we see.

Sovereign guarantee is one of the benchmarks that is required by the international financial institutions to deliver a bankable opportunity. Now we are working with many of our partners and legal service providers to come up with innovative solutions that can cover the risks that normally would be covered by a sovereign guarantee, but through service providers in the industry. This would enable us to unlock many challenging markets that have a high demand but, in the past, were inaccessible due to the unavailability of these guarantees.

Discover the full interview in the September issue of African Review

The 165.6MW Benban solar plant in Egypt, which uses Astronergy solar module products. (Image source: Astronergy)

Astrongergy, an intelligent manufacturing enterprise focusing on photovoltaic cells and modules, is preparing to ship 1GW of n-type TOPCon solar modules to Algeria as part of the country’s 1GW solar plant construction plan

The company announced the order after winning the tenders from China International Water & Electric Corp. and the Power Construction Corporation of China. It will be part of the 2GW power plant construction plan proposed by Algeria’s state-owned power utility, Sonelgaz. This will include the delivering of 15 solar plants across the country’s 12 provinces, each with a capacity ranging from 80-220MW, most of which will be built by Chinese companies.

Astronergy won six of these major projects: Abadla (80MW), Batemete (220MW), Gueltet Sidi Saad (200MW), Douar El Maa (200MW), Ouled Djellal (80MW), and Biskra (220MW). Construction on the latter, Biskra, has already begun, making use of Astrongergy’s N5 TOPCon solar modules.

Southern Africa’s rich renewable resources could help form the basis for a thriving hydrogen economy. (Image source: Synergy Consulting)

According to Synergy Consulting, southern Africa stands at a pivotal moment in its energy transition, with the hydrogen economy emerging as a key element in the region's sustainable future

This potential shift could address energy security concerns, contribute to economic diversification, and support global decarbonisation efforts. As nations within the region explore this opportunity, several factors – including abundant natural resources, strategic partnerships, and technological advancements – will play crucial roles in shaping the future of hydrogen energy in southern Africa.

Abundant renewable resources

One of the most significant advantages for southern Africa in developing a hydrogen economy is the region's rich renewable energy resources. Countries like South Africa and Namibia have vast solar and wind energy potential, which are essential for producing green hydrogen through electrolysis. Green hydrogen, derived from renewable energy sources, is seen as a clean and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. This presents an opportunity for southern African nations to leverage their natural resources to produce and export green hydrogen, positioning themselves as key players in the global hydrogen market.

South Africa, in particular, is well-positioned due to its established infrastructure and industrial base. The country has a history of hydrogen production through coal gasification and is home to some of the world’s largest platinum reserves, a critical material for hydrogen fuel cells. This makes South Africa a strategic location for developing a comprehensive hydrogen value chain, from production to utilisation in various industries.

Economic diversification and job creation

The hydrogen economy offers a path toward economic diversification in southern Africa, particularly for countries heavily reliant on fossil fuel exports. By investing in hydrogen technology, these nations can reduce their dependence on volatile oil and gas markets and create new revenue streams. Moreover, the hydrogen economy has the potential to generate significant employment opportunities, from research and development to manufacturing and logistics.

For instance, developing hydrogen production facilities, refueling stations, and fuel cell manufacturing plants would require a skilled workforce, contributing to job creation in urban and rural areas. This is particularly important in a region where unemployment remains a pressing issue.

Strategic partnerships and investments

The successful development of a hydrogen economy in southern Africa will depend on strategic partnerships and investments. International collaboration is essential, as it brings in financial resources, technical expertise, and market access. Partnerships with countries and companies leading in hydrogen technology can help southern African nations accelerate their hydrogen initiatives and integrate into the global hydrogen supply chain.

Several countries, including Germany and Japan, have already shown interest in collaborating with southern African nations on hydrogen projects. These partnerships could facilitate technology transfer, capacity building, and infrastructure development, crucial for the region’s hydrogen economy.

Challenges and the road ahead

Despite its potential, the hydrogen economy in southern Africa faces several challenges. These include high initial investment costs, the need for regulatory frameworks, and the development of a robust infrastructure. Additionally, ensuring that hydrogen production is truly green – i.e., derived from renewable sources – is essential to avoid merely shifting emissions from one sector to another.

In conclusion, while southern Africa has significant opportunities in the hydrogen economy, realising its full potential will require coordinated efforts across governments, industry, and international partners. With the right strategies in place, southern Africa could emerge as a leader in the global hydrogen market, driving sustainable development and economic growth in the region.

This article is authored by Synergy Consulting IFA

EGA offers solutions tailored for both local and export markets including in countries such as Malawi, Mozambique, Angola, Ghana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, and Botswana. (Image source: EGA)

Ener-G-Africa (EGA), a provider of innovative energy access solutions, has relocated to a larger manufacturing hub in Paarl, South Africa

In doing so, the company has sought to significantly expand its operations, with the new facility boasting a cutting-edge solar assembly line that is capable of producing TÜV certified 550W and 275W solar panels as well as the existing 20W, 50W and 360W panels. This will help the company in its efforts to serve the South African market and export needs across Africa, adding to its comprehensive range of off-grid residential products.

“Our investment in state-of-the-art German technology allows us to produce highly advanced and reliable solar panels specifically designed for the African environment,” remarked Andre Moolman, CEO of EGA. “We are equally dedicated to training, upskilling, and employing women and young people from local communities in our solar assembly and manufacturing processes. By integrating automation in key areas, we ensure superior quality control and cost efficiency. This approach not only empowers individuals but also ensures that high-grade solar products are more affordable and accessible across Africa.”

Dave Lello, chief business development officer at EGA, added, “With our modules being manufactured locally, it means we have been able to adapt our design, specifically for the requirements of the African market, particularly the 275W panels. No other manufacturer currently makes 275W panels configured quite like this. They have been designed with flexibility in mind while maintaining the voltage output of larger panels in order to integrate with most standard industry inverters.

“They are specifically tailored to offer higher capacity in a smaller area. For example, on an unusually shaped roof, you can fit more panels, which means more power.”

Lello also noted the practicality of the 275W panels for residential use. “One panel can replace a 2x150W configuration at a lower cost whilst requiring less space,” he surmised. “Likewise, 2x275W panels will generate better performance than three of the 150W panels currently on the market, reducing the number of panels needed.

“The flexibility of our 550W and 275W panels allows for combined use within the same string, optimising performance for various configurations, including east-west orientations, which are beneficial for maximising energy use throughout the day,” Lello explained.

According to Sherisse Alexander of WATT Renewables, solar and storage presents a ‘win-win’ for Nigeria as it seeks to manage its forthcoming data centre market explosion. Click here to read the opinion piece in full.