MechChem Africa June 2018

⎪ Power generation, sustainable energy and energy management ⎪

Africa has a resource-intensive set of economies. The mining industry is power- hungry and keen to diversify its energy sup- ply. Historically, the power supply of choice has been diesel, which is not favoured envi- ronmentally. The possibility of hybridising diesel with solar is also being pursued. More recently, policy changes are favouring renew- ables. There are tax benefits anddepreciation benefits. Africa’s fundamental developmental chal- lenge is that 650-million people – half of the continent – have no access to power. Lack of access to electricity fundamentally affects economic growth. The World Economic Forum warns that Africa risks missing out on the fourth industrial revolution and its attendant economic benefits due to its low levels of access to electricity. Linked to the lack of grid electricity, are social and economic problems affecting edu- cation and health. Subsequently people are using energy sources that are available and affordable, such as biomass, whichdominates the energy mix in sub-Saharan Africa, where it’s used by 730-million people. One third of sub-Saharan Africa is covered by forest – the total forest biomass stock is 130-billion tonnes. But this is finite and is currently being depleted at unsustainable rates. Domestic burning of biomass leads to indoor emissions

that are inhaledandcause respiratory disease. The African Develop­

ment Bank’s Light Up and Power Africa plan aims to increase grid connections to 130-million people by 2025, while making 75-million off-grid con- nections through public- private partnerships. The short-term, quick way to get electricity to these 130-million people by 2025 could lie in large and small-scale solar investments. Aside from the quick, effective turn- around time of these plants, they could contribute to 8-million tonnes of reductions in CO 2 emissions. There is agreement on the benefits of renewable energy, for Africa’s developmen- tal and environmental needs. However, the fact is that fossil fuels will continue to supply most of Africa’s power needs in the short to medium term. In South Africa, there is scope for in- creased proportion of renewables in the South African energy mix, but the IEA states that coal was still responsible for 70% of South Africa’s primary energy consumption.

Whilst the Department of Energy is show- ing renewed commitment to the renewable energy projects through the REIPPPP, with 27 projects to the value of R56-billion signed inMarch, the process has been stalled due to the concerns raised by NUMSA in respect of other economic losses in the mining sector. Arriving at an end-state vision for Africa’s electricity sector will have to wait while the sector remains in its current situation of dynamic flux. It’s an exciting time, and indications are positive, not least because of Africa’s gener- ous endowment of renewable resources. But inAfrica, every country’s ultimate energymix will be the one that best balances its social, economic, and political considerations. q

June 2018 • MechChem Africa ¦ 25