Category: Knowledge Centre Middle East and Africa

Renewable energy development in Türkiye: EMBER

Renewable energy development in Türkiye: EMBER

January 31, 2025 | , , , ,

Türkiye’s solar energy capacity doubled in two and a half years and reached 19.6 GW by the end of 2024, achieving its 2025 target one and a half years early in 2024. This rapid progress showcases the country’s potential for more ambitious future goals. Over the past two and a half years, solar and wind energy combined have prevented $15 billion in natural gas imports, reinforcing Türkiye’s energy independence and reducing dependency on fossil fuels. Solar energy alone generated 52 TWh of electricity during this period, which accounted for 6% of the country’s total electricity supply. The country has a pipeline of 33 GW in pre-licensed storage-integrated solar and wind projects, far exceeding the official 2030 target of 2.1 GW

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Renewable Power in Central Africa: IRENA

Renewable Power in Central Africa: IRENA

January 17, 2025 | , , , , ,

In all the scenarios covered by this report, renewables are central to meeting demand and trade expansion in Central Africa. In every scenario, out to the modelling horizon of 2040, hydropower remains the largest renewable energy source in the region, supplying nearly 70% of its electricity.  Reductions in the cost of solar PV and wind are driving their expansion in the regional capacity mix. There is large, untapped potential for cross-border electricity trade inside and outside the CAPP region. Cumulative system costs and investment in the CAPP region vary significantly depending on future assumptions in the areas of demand and cross-border trade

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Developing Large Scale Renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa: Report

Developing Large Scale Renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa: Report

January 10, 2025 | , , , ,

The key objectives of this report are to: Explore current approaches to community participation in, benefits from, and ownership of large-scale wind and solar projects aiming for social justice and sustainability. Examine the potential for integrating improved practices into policy making, considering the specific contexts of various Sub-Saharan African countries. Deepen knowledge and understanding of stakeholder experiences in large-scale renewable energy projects. Explore and highlight reasons for failures to create enduring local benefits where possible. 

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North Africa’s Power Shift: Report

North Africa’s Power Shift: Report

December 16, 2024 | , , ,

This study “North Africa’s Power Shift” by The Middle East Institute aims to highlight current developments, challenges, and opportunities regarding the development of renewable energy in North Africa. To this end, the research and analysis delves into the dynamic and diverse energy landscapes of five North African countries — Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia — highlighting the distinct pathways each nation is pursuing to tap into its renewable energy potential. 

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Tracking Progress on UAE Consensus: IRENA

Tracking Progress on UAE Consensus: IRENA

October 18, 2024 | , ,

Tripling renewable power capacity to 11.2 TW requires average annual additions of 1 044 GW in 2024–2030, or 16.4% compound annual growth, up from 16.1% in 2023–2030. 473 GW of new renewable power capacity was added in 2023 – 346.9 GW of solar PV; 114.5 GW of wind (103.9 GW onshore); 6.6 GW of hydropower (excluding pumped); and 5.2 GW of bioenergy, geothermal, CSP and marine energy, combined. Except for solar PV, capacity additions for all renewable energy technologies are below the level required to meet the tripling target. Compared to 2023 capacity, the world needs 3x onshore wind; 6x offshore wind and bioenergy; and 35x geothermal.

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Harnessing Renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa: Paper

Harnessing Renewables in Sub-Saharan Africa: Paper

October 11, 2024 | , , , ,

To achieve universal electricity access and rapid economic development, Sub-Saharan Africa needs to significantly accelerate its electricity generation. Despite rising real per capita incomes over the past two decades, electricity production per capita has been declining. In addition, while hydropower is prominent in some countries, solar and wind power generation has lagged other world regions, even though sub-Saharan Africa has some of the most favorable conditions, particularly in terms of solar potential.

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EU’s Energy Relations with Egypt and Algeria: Brief

EU’s Energy Relations with Egypt and Algeria: Brief

September 27, 2024 | , ,

Key recommendations from the brief are : Modernise its energy relationships with Egypt and Algeria to focus on boosting renewables capacity and energy efficiency in the power sector. The EU should use the “reset moment” of the new Commission to shift the focus away from gas. Be fully transparent with North African countries about future EU energy demand, so that they can plan for a realistic balance between gas, hydrogen and renewable electricity exports.

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Solar and Wind Investments in Mali: IRENA

Solar and Wind Investments in Mali: IRENA

August 30, 2024 | , , , ,

There is significant potential for utility-scale solar PV and wind power development in Mali. The maximum development potential across the country is estimated at approximately 398.7 GW and 1.25 GW for solar PV and wind projects, respectively, considering maximum concentration capacities of 5,000 MW for both solar PV and wind, with a land utilisation factor of 50%. This potential can largely cover the current renewable targets through 2030, which are now set at 2,016 MW. 

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Renewable Energy Deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa: IRENA

Renewable Energy Deployment in Sub-Saharan Africa: IRENA

July 5, 2024 | , ,

Sub-Saharan Africa presents unique development challenges, but also significant opportunities related to the renewable energy deployment and development. Sub-Saharan Africa has contributed very little to global carbon emissions, yet it is among the regions most vulnerable to climate change. The energy transitions in Sub-Saharan Africa will therefore rely on international partnerships, including reliable climate finance to boost regional use of sustainable and modern renewable energy.

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Integrating E-Mobility with Mini Grids in Rural Nigeria: Report

Integrating E-Mobility with Mini Grids in Rural Nigeria: Report

June 28, 2024 | , , ,

This report was prepared to explore and assess the feasibility of integrating e-mobility infrastructure with existing mini grid projects in rural Nigeria. The REA was established by the FGN to find innovative solutions– such as the NEP, which brought Solar Hybrid Mini Grids, Standalone Solar Systems and Education Programs to rural communities. Using case studies, economic analysis, and field research, it was found that EV adoption in rural areas would greatly benefit customers and solar mini grid developers.

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Renewable Energy Expansion in Uganda: Policy Brief

Renewable Energy Expansion in Uganda: Policy Brief

June 21, 2024 | , ,

The policy brief “Modelling the Macroeconomic Impacts of Renewable Energy Expansion in Uganda” by giz concludes that Uganda is richly endowed with multiple renewable energy resources for electricity production which makes the envisaged renewable energy expansion possible. Additionally, the renewable energy expansion increases the gross domestic product which is up to 0.5% higher per year compared to a situation without further expanding renewable energy, creates 40,000 jobs, and saves 6.5 Tg greenhouse gas emissions. 

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Europe and Africa can become Green Partners: Brief

Europe and Africa can become Green Partners: Brief

May 3, 2024 | , ,

This brief concludes: Europeans are searching for secure sources of critical raw materials as global supply chains become increasingly contested. Some African governments wish to obtain greater benefit from this growing demand and are restricting the export of raw materials to force local value-addition, such as in-country processing and manufacturing.

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Rwanda’s Potential for Distributed Renewables: Report

Rwanda’s Potential for Distributed Renewables: Report

February 9, 2024 | , ,

This report “Financial Aggregation for Distributed Renewable Energy in Rwanda” by UNDP assesses the market readiness and potential for financial aggregation of the DRE sector in Rwanda. It provides an in-depth analysis of the key precursors to financial aggregation and the barriers that will need to be tackled if the potential addressable market is to be unlocked.

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Senegal 2023 Energy Policy Review: IEA Report

Senegal 2023 Energy Policy Review: IEA Report

February 2, 2024 | , ,

The development of Senegal’s energy sector is at the heart of the country’s strategy for sustainable and economic development and aspiration to become an emerging economy by 2035 under the Plan Sénégal Émergent (PSE). Senegal already has 0.4 GW of total renewable energy installed capacity and has recently pledged to increase the share to 40% by 2030 within the framework of the JETP, whose funding to be mobilised can be a key enabler for Senegal to also meet its conditional targets under the NDC.

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Uganda Energy Transition Plan: IEA Report

Uganda Energy Transition Plan: IEA Report

December 15, 2023 | , , , ,

Uganda’s Energy Transition Plan (ETP) is a strategic roadmap for the development and modernisation of Uganda’s energy sector. It charts an ambitious, yet feasible pathway to achieve universal access to modern energy and power the country’s economic transformation in a sustainable and secure way. The plan was developed by Uganda’s Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development, with support from the International Energy Agency, and provides the groundwork for the government’s upcoming Integrated Energy Resource Master Plan.

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Renewable Energy in Gulf Countries: Report

Renewable Energy in Gulf Countries: Report

December 8, 2023 | , ,

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are some of the world’s most significant fossil fuel producers and exporters, and are among the world’s largest per capita emitters of CO2. However, this report shows that renewable energy deployment is growing in the region; albeit the share of renewables in the electricity mix of the GCC region remains negligible, accounting for only 3% of the region’s generation capacity in 2022.

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