Renewable Energy in Africa; Potential, Impact and The Way Forward

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are abundantly available in Africa due to the continent’s geographical location. For example, it is the sunniest continent on earth with about 85% of the landscape having solar insolation of approximately 2000 kWh/m2 in a year and also with a large stretch of coastline where both wind and wave energy resources are abundant. The available renewable energy sources are underutilised due to many challenges such as inadequate funds, bad or nonexistent policies, and unavailability of skilled labour. This paper, therefore, aims to investigate the impact of renewable energy on Africa and the world as a whole if these renewables are utilised efficiently. The paper again will look into the reasons why renewable energies in Africa are underutilised and recommend possible solutions to these problems as well. Moreover, the paper will discuss the social, economic and environmental impacts of utilising renewable energy in Africa regarding jobs creation, infrastructure development, revenue creation, and reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere. The efficient utilization of these renewable energy resources will make Africa a powerhouse of clean energy production for its use and export.