Accelerating development in Sub-Saharan Africa will require massive expansion of access to electricity -- currently reaching only about one-third of households. This paper explores how essential economic development might be reconciled with the need to keep carbon emissions in check. The authors develop a geographically explicit framework and use spatial modeling and cost estimates from recent engineering studies to determine where stand-alone renewable energy generation is a cost effective alternative to centralized grid supply. The results suggest that decentralized renewable energy will likely play an important role in expanding rural energy access. But it will be the lowest cost option for a minority of households in Africa, even when likely cost reductions over the next 20 years are considered. Decentralized renewables are competitive mostly in remote and rural areas, while grid connected supply dominates denser areas where the majority of households reside. These findings underscore the need to de-carbonize the fuel mix for centralized power generation as it expands in Africa.

Energy supply is a key factor in economic and social development, but lack of modern energy in rural areas limits efforts to alleviate poverty and improve living standards. This book identifies the options for providing modern and improved renewables-based energy to low-income rural areas, with special emphasis on the productive uses. In the five countries represented - Botswana, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Zambia and Zimbabwe - the contributors focus on the advantages of a decentralized approach to energy delivery, the role of income-generating activities in attracting modern energy services to rural areas, and the barriers as well as opportunities that exist in the promotion of renewable energy technologies. The African Energy Policy Research Network (Afrepren) has built up an enviable reputation as the Continent‘s foremost platform for the development African energy professionals producing policy relevant work. This latest volume in their series of publications is a further contribution to addressing the practical energy needs of Sub-Saharan Africa.

Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2016 in the subject Economy - Environment economics, grade: B, Aalborg University, language: English, abstract: This study is going to examine the implementation of two renewable electrification technologies; solar PV and wind. In this proposal, literature review section presents a short and clear understanding of previous researches around this topic. This study intends to adopt qualitative method with PESTEL and multi criteria analysis. According to the expected result, this project is aiming to establish policies that contribute to universal energy access and reduction of energy poverty in Kenya. Renewable energy systems have been identified as key driver of sustainability and economic development. Kenya, among the Sub-Saharan countries is considered as one of the frontrunners for catalyzing economic growth by the development of their energy sectors. There are lots of potentials for solar energy in Kenya and it has one of the most active commercial Solar PV sectors in the developing world. Renewable energy technologies have been clearly identified as a key stagnation of sustainability and economic development. Modern energy systems affect the quality of life and supports three pillars of sustainable development: social equality, economic growth and environmental protection, which are very significant concerns in developing countries. As elsewhere, in Sub-Saharan African countries there is a high correlation between low per capita consumption of commercial energy and low per capita gross domestic products. In a continent where both per capita income and energy consumption are tragically low, renewable energy could be a valuable contribution to economic growth. Several developing countries among in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are considered as frontrunners for catalyzing economic growth by the development of their energy sectors. These are Ethiopia, Kenya, Benin, Malawi, Ghana, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Lack of access to affordable electricity is a major determinant of poverty in SSA. Urban populations remain underserved by inefficient, unreliable systems, while many rural villagers have no access to electricity except for power provided to relatively affluent households by small, privately owned generators.

This short open access book investigates the role of renewable energy in East Africa to provide policy-relevant inputs for the achievement of a cost-effective electrification process in the region. For each country, the authors review the current situation in the domestic power sector, adopt a GIS-based approach to plot renewable energy resources potential, and review currently planned projects and projects under development, as well as the key domestic renewables regulations. Based on such information, least-cost 100% electrification scenarios by 2030 are then modelled and comparative results over the required capacity additions and investment are reported and discussed. The authors also inquire into some of the key technological, economic, policy, cooperation, and financing challenges to the development of a portfolio of renewables to promote energy access in a sustainable way, including a discussion of the challenges and opportunities that might stem from the interaction between local RE potential and natural gas resources currently under development in the region. To conclude, policy recommendations based on the book’s results and targeted at international cooperation and development institutions, local policymakers, and private stakeholders in the region are elaborated.

This open access book analyses barriers and challenges associated with the financing of clean energy access in sub-Saharan Africa. By considering various economic, financial, political, environmental and social factors, it explores the consequences of energy poverty across the region and maps the real and perceived investment risks for potential capital providers, both domestic and international. Furthermore, it analyses risk mitigation strategies and innovative financing structures available to the public and private sectors, which are aimed at leveraging capital in the clean energy sector at scale and fostering the creation of an enabling business and investment environment. More specifically, the present book analyses how to (i) enhance capital allocation in projects and organisations that foster clean energy access in the region, (ii) mobilize private capital at scale and (iii) decrease the cost of financing through risk mitigation strategies. Going beyond traditional approaches, the book also considers socioeconomic and cultural aspects associated with investment barriers across the subcontinent. Moreover, it urges the public and private spheres to become more actively involved in tackling this pressing development issue, and provides policy recommendations for the public sector, including proposals for business model evolution at multilateral agencies and development institutions. It will appeal to a wide readership of both academics and professionals working in the energy industry, the financial sector and the political sphere, as well as to general readers interested in the ongoing debate about energy, sustainable development and finance.