
Breadcrumbs
Renewables supplied only a third of Africa's electricity demand growth
Wind and solar need to be adopted more quickly to avoid a fossil gas trap
About
A rapid analysis of Ember’s 2021 Global Electricity Review data shows the status of the transition from fossil fuel-fired electricity to renewable sources across African countries.
Executive summary
Morocco and Kenya lead on clean electricity in Africa
Ember’s Global Electricity Review showed that almost a tenth of global electricity was generated by wind and solar in 2020. Morocco and Kenya are the clear leaders in Africa, already ahead of this world average, with 16% and 15% of their respective electricity generation from wind and solar in 2019. However, fossil fuels still dominate globally, with many African economies even more reliant on fossil sources for electricity than the world average.
Demand is also increasing every year across the continent, with growth in renewables struggling to keep up. From 2014 to 2019 (when Africa data is available) only a third of the rise in Africa’s electricity demand was met with renewables, and two-thirds of the rise was met with fossil gas.
Africa's electricity transition
What does the 2020 data reveal?
Duncan Gibb Renewables Project Manager and Analyst, REN21
It’s encouraging to see that Morocco and Kenya have made such progress with solar and wind power, and have reached high shares among African countries. Their success shows the huge impact of effective political leadership and well-designed regulatory frameworks that create market conditions where renewables thrive. At the same time, more than half of the population in Sub-Saharan Africa still lacks access to electricity. Renewable energy, including solar and wind, can quickly and inexpensively help fill this gap. Ember’s Global Electricity Review shows the huge potential for African nations to build affordable renewables and provide electricity for their citizens.