Africa is experiencing a surge in energy projects aimed at tackling energy poverty, boosting renewable energy use, and creating a more interconnected grid. Here's a comprehensive look at some of the most fascinating ongoing and new projects across the continent, including details on budgets, timelines, and key players
Morocco:
Project: Noor Ouarzazate Solar Complex Expansion
Budget: Expansion costs not publicly disclosed, but the entire complex is estimated at $9 billion.
Start Date: Original Complex - 2016, Expansion - Date not yet announced.
Investors: Moroccan government, Masdar (UAE), African Development Bank (AfDB).
Contractors: Multiple contractors involved in the various phases, including ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia), Sener (Spain), Nareva (Morocco).
Technical Details: The expansion will add concentrated solar power (CSP) plants to the existing photovoltaic (PV) plants, creating a hybrid solar complex with a total capacity exceeding 5GW.
West Africa:
Project: Scaling Solar (Senegal) & 50MW Kiffa Solar Plant (Mauritania)
Budget: Scaling Solar - $120 million (World Bank), Kiffa Plant - €40 million (EU, AFD).
Start Date: Scaling Solar - Phased approach, starting in 2018. Kiffa Plant - Construction began in 2022.
Investors: World Bank, European Union (EU), Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
Contractors: Meridiam (France) for Scaling Solar, subcontractors for Kiffa Plant to be announced.
Technical Details: Scaling Solar aims to build multiple solar power plants totaling 200MW across Senegal. The Kiffa plant will have a capacity of 50MW and will be integrated into a larger 1,373 km transmission line project connecting Mauritania and Mali.
Kenya:
Project: Lake Turkana Wind Power Station
Budget: $1.3 billion
Start Date: Construction - 2012, Commissioned - 2019
Investors: KenGen (Kenya), Vestas Wind Systems (Denmark), Equity Bank (Kenya), Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
Contractors: Siemens Gamesa (wind turbines), McKinnon & Sanders (Kenya) - civil works.
Technical Details: The largest wind farm in East and Central Africa with a capacity of 310MW. It utilizes 175 wind turbines.
Mauritania & Mali:
Project: 1,373 km, 600 MW Transmission Line Project
Budget: $900 million
Start Date: Construction expected to begin in 2024.
Investors: World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), European Union (EU).
Contractors: Bidding process for contractors is ongoing.
Technical Details: This project will construct a high-voltage transmission line linking the electricity grids of Mauritania and Mali. It will also include a 50MW solar plant in Kiffa, Mauritania.
South Africa:
Project: Bio2Watt Project
Budget: Project cost not publicly disclosed.
Start Date: Project launched in 2020.
Investors: Bidvest (South Africa), Industrial Development Corporation (South Africa).
Contractors: Bio2Watt (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa).
Technical Details: This project converts organic waste into biogas, which is then used to generate clean electricity. The project aims to demonstrate the viability of biogas technology in South Africa.
Ethiopia:
Project: Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD)
Budget: $4.8 billion
Start Date: Construction - 2011, Expected Completion - 2024
Investors: Ethiopian government, private investors (details limited).
Contractors: Salini Impregilo (Italy) - main contractor, subcontractors include Andritz Hydro (Austria) and Voith Hydro (Germany).
Technical Details: Upon completion, this will be the largest hydroelectric dam in Africa with a generating capacity of 2,100MW.
Nigeria:
Project: Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano (AKK) Gas Pipeline Project
Budget: $2.8 billion
Start Date: Construction began in phases - 2018 (first phase).
Investors: Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC).
Contractors: Multiple contractors involved in different phases, including China Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) and Brentex (Nigeria).
Technical Details: This 614 km gas pipeline will transport natural gas from Ajaokuta in central Nigeria to Kano in the north. It aims to improve access to gas for power generation and industrial use.
Multiple Countries:
Project: Africa50 - Renewable Energy Fund
Budget: $2 billion target fund size
Start Date: Launched in 2016
Investors: African Development Bank (AfDB), Agence Française de Développement (AFD), KfW (Germany), The Netherlands Development Bank (FMO).
Contractors: N/A (Provides funding for various renewable energy projects across Africa)
Technical Details: This initiative provides funding and technical assistance for renewable energy projects across Africa, with a focus on solar, wind, geothermal, and mini-grids.
Uganda:
Project: Uganda-Tanzania East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)
Budget: $10 billion estimated
Start Date: Construction expected to begin in 2024.
Investors: TotalEnergies (France), CNOOC (China), Tullow Oil (UK).
Contractors: Bidding process for contractors is ongoing.
Technical Details: This 1,443 km pipeline will transport crude oil from Uganda to Tanzania's coast for export. While not a renewable energy project, it's a significant development that could impact Africa's energy landscape.
