Africa is becoming a busy place for renewable power projects, but another energy development is underway that has arguably even greater significance for the continent’s future: powerline connectivity. Countries like Namibia and Angola are leveraging their competitive advantages in renewable energy sources.
According to Darryll Kilian, Partner and Principal Environmental Consultant at SRK Consulting South Africa (SA) this involves mainly solar and wind in Namibia, and hydropower in Angola.
"With its high-capacity factors in onshore wind and solar resources, Namibia is well placed not only to produce low-carbon electricity but also green hydrogen and its derivatives," says Kilian.
This is preparing a foundation for various industrial opportunities that the country is exploring, including the production of green hot briquetted iron.
In neighbouring Angola, the list of proposed renewable projects includes the ambitious Baynes Hydro Power Plant on the Kunene River, 48km downstream of the Epupa Falls. The project, which involves the building of a dam, would generate 600MW of power.
In-country and Cross-border
Against this background Kilian says that there are multiple powerline projects underway in Angola, as the country gears up to distribute energy to the places where it is needed such as mining complexes and industrial hubs.
These internal connectors in turn create the potential for cross-border connections that would allow sharing of energy across the region.
Harnessing these renewable energy resources is great news for driving sustainable, diversified and inclusive growth in Africa as energy constraints have for many years been a serious brake on the continent's potential.
"As important as generating power for their own use, however, is the ability of African countries to sell their power across their borders," says Kilian.
Such a capability, which has been the focus of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) since 1995, has many benefits, especially since the mushrooming of renewable energy generation technologies in recent decades.
While a more stable power supply in any country will unlock foreign and local investment to build the economy and create jobs, the availability of cross-border powerlines creates the potential to export electricity for those countries who can generate more than they currently need.
