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<p>ZOLA Electric has just announced some executive appointed including new Chief Executive Officer position taken up by Bill Lenihan. Other key appointments made in board membership and advisory roles taken were up by Lyndon Rive and Pete Rive respectively. Zola Electric is one of the leading renewable energy brands in Africa, helping customers from five countries in the continent to power their homes and businesses, and stay connected with clean, reliable power. Bill Lenihan, CEO of ZOLA Electric joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


ZOLA Electric targets Africa expansion in renewable energy

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<p>One billion rand has been committed towards Africa&#8217;s renewable energy. Investec Bank and UK Climate Investments are equally putting this billion rand for a renewable energy investment vehicle in the continent. This project will be managed by an incorporated majority black owned fund manager, Revego. Michael Meeser, CIO of Revego Fund Managers joins CNBC Africa for more.</p>


Investec, UK Climate Investments commit R1bn for renewable energy in Africa

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<p>A four day Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth Forum is underway in Kigali with the aim to provide clean cooking solutions to eradicate the global dependency on biomass energy. Over 3 billion people globally lack access to clean cooking energy. How accessible and sustainable is this? Peter Scott, CEO and Founder of Burn Manufacturing joins CNBC Africa to share with us his thoughts.</p>


This firm aims to provide clean cooking solutions

<p>JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) &#8211; South Africa’s state-run power firm Eskom said on Tuesday it is planning its first major battery storage project as President Cyril Ramaphosa seeks to boost renewable energy usage and reduce the country’s reliance on coal.</p>
<p>Prince Moyo, general manager for power delivery engineering at Eskom, told Reuters that the battery storage project would be rolled out in phases across 90 sites, with a tender for the first phase pencilled in for early next year.</p>
<p>“At this stage the focus is on storing energy for the benefit of all our customers. The aim is to ensure security of power supply,” Moyo said.</p>
<p>Although the 1,440 megawatt hour per day battery project would be able to store less than one percent of Eskom’s total generating capacity, it is a sign the utility is following through on promises to prioritise renewable energy ventures.</p>
<p>The project should also help smooth relations with the World Bank, which had become frustrated over the slow progress made on renewable power plans since it approved a more than $3 billion loan in 2010 to support green energy.</p>
<p>Eskom, which joins global firms like oil major BP and General Electric in investing in battery storage, is working on a new long-term strategy to assess whether its business model is sustainable.</p>
<p>The utility’s new management, appointed soon after Ramaphosa replaced scandal-plagued Jacob Zuma as leader of the ruling African National Congress last December, is fighting to rescue the firm after a period of steep financial decline.</p>
<p>It reported a 2.3 billion rand ($160 million) loss for the latest financial year, after which it said it was considering selling non-core assets and job cuts.</p>
<p>($1 = 14.3534 rand)</p>
<p>Reporting by Alexander Winning; Editing by Joe Brock</p>


First major battery storage project in works for South Africa’s Eskom, what you need to know

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<p>Nigeria set a target to raise the amount of renewable energy in the country&#8217;s energy mix to 30 per cent by 2030. Victor Eromosele, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mentor Consulting join CNBC Africa to discuss what the country needs to do to make this a reality.</p>


Nigeria raises renewable energy targets to 30% by 2030

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<p>Shining like the sun, that’s one of Africa’s newest renewable energy projects. 2 hours’ drive from the small town of Upington in the Northern Cape lies a solar plant, one of many green energy projects that will one day feed the national grid.</p>


This small SA town is big on renewables, here’s why

<figure><img decoding="async" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/209061/original/file-20180306-146650-1kgus7y.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&amp;q=45&amp;auto=format&amp;w=754&amp;fit=clip" alt="File 20180306 146650 1kgus7y.jpg?ixlib=rb 1.1" /><figcaption>Millions of people without electricity access in Africa live close to existing power grid infrastructure.<br />
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebekah-shirley-440192">Rebekah Shirley</a>, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/strathmore-university-2081">Strathmore University</a></em></p>
<p>At least 110 million of the 600 million people still living without access to electricity in Africa live in urban areas. Most are within a stone throw from existing power grid infrastructure.</p>
<p>In Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and Liberia alone there are <a href="http://www.cgdev.org/blog/shedding-new-light-grid-debate-power-africa-countries">up to</a> 95 million people living in urban areas. All in close proximity to the grid. In Kenya about <a href="https://energyathaas.wordpress.com/2013/07/15/power-africa-observations-from-kenya/">70%</a> of off-grid homes are located within 1.2km of a power line. And estimates for “under-the-grid” populations across sub-Saharan Africa range from <a href="http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/348741492463112162/pdf/114375-REVISED-4-18-PMWB-AfricasPulse-Sping2017-vol15-ENGLISH-FINAL-web.pdf">61% to 78%</a>.</p>
<p>Besides energy access being crucial for many basic human needs, these underserved populations represent a massive commercial opportunity for <a href="https://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-deregulation-could-improve-reliability-for-african-utilities">cash-strapped</a> sub-Saharan African utilities. Electricity providers could reach tens of millions of densely packed customers without the cost of a last-mile rural grid extension.</p>
<p>So, why aren’t these potential consumers connected to the formal grid?</p>
<p>Urban communities often face many challenges in obtaining electricity access. These range from the prohibitively high cost of a connection, to the challenges of informal housing, the impact of power theft on services and socio-political marginalisation. In many cases, these obstacles are difficult to address successfully.</p>
<p>However, recent advances in distributed renewable energy technologies mean a more affordable, faster to deploy, cleaner alternative is at hand in Africa. One that can step in where policy and utility reforms are wanting.</p>
<h2>Barriers to grid connections</h2>
<p>One of the major barriers to electrification is the cost of a grid connection. A grid connection in Kenya, for instance, is estimated at <a href="http://dil.berkeley.edu/electrification-for-under-grid-households-in-rural-kenya-five-questions-for-ken-lee/">USD<br />
$ 400 per household</a>. This is nearly one-third of the average per capita <a href="https://tradingeconomics.com/kenya/gdp-per-capita">income</a> of a Kenyan.</p>
<p>Beyond pure cost barriers, urban communities often can’t access energy services for <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/nclimate2512?WT.ec_id=NCLIMATE-201504&amp;spMailingID=48302515&amp;spUserID=ODkwMTM2NjQyMAS2&amp;spJobID=643211240&amp;spReportId=NjQzMjExMjQwS0">other</a> socio-economic reasons. For instance, not being metered because they <a href="https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21721141-making-slums-less-exploitative-may-be-africas-biggest-challenge-exploitation-and">don’t have</a> a formal address. Or living in in an area that is difficult to service – such as near flood plains or in informal housing settlements.</p>
<p>Corruption among electricity service providers, power theft by customers and the establishment of electricity cartels also complicates and limits electricity access.</p>
<p>Finally, the utilities themselves face many challenges in implementing reforms to get more people connected. Take the example of the Kenya Power and Lighting Company, which owns and operates most of the electricity transmission and distribution system. In 2015 it introduced a subsidised connection fee of US $150. This was done through the <a href="http://www.kplc.co.ke/content/item/1120/last-mile-connectivity">Last Mile Connectivity Project</a>. In one year, this installment-based payment plan led to a <a href="http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2015/08/17/bringing-electricity-to-kenyas-slums-hard-lessons-lead-to-great-gains">30-fold increase</a> in legal electricity connections in impoverished neighbourhoods.</p>
<p>But the project was <a href="https://www.nation.co.ke/lifestyle/smartcompany/1226-3483888-miyytdz/">marred</a> by cost overruns and inflated and misreported new connection numbers. On top of this, newly connected households often have very low consumption levels and low-income customers were often unable to make payments, even at subsidised rates.</p>
<p>Without the necessary infrastructural development, experts <a href="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/article/2001233193/shocking-kenya-power-details-of-fake-meter-activations-to-please-president-uhuru">argue</a> that the program puts a strain on the technical, commercial and financial resources of the utility. This means that the programme may find it difficult to generate revenue, recover costs or provide the service intended to new customers.</p>
<h2>Decentralised renewables</h2>
<p>Decentralised renewable energy technologies offer an <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-senegal-needs-to-do-to-close-its-energy-gap-by-2030-88575">important solution</a> for “under-the-grid” electrification. They are simple, fast and agile. They have short installation times, and offer a reliable electricity service for informal settlements.</p>
<p>Pay-as-you-go solar systems and appliances, for example, <a href="http://www.wri.org/publication/stimulating-pay-you-go-energy-access-kenya-and-tanzania-role-development-finance">can provide</a> a much lower barrier to entry. Compared to the high upfront connection costs noted earlier in Kenya, a 15-watt solar home system costs <a href="http://www.wri.org/publication/stimulating-pay-you-go-energy-access-kenya-and-tanzania-role-development-finance">on average</a> USD $9 per month for 36 months after which point the household owns its system.</p>
<p>The renewable energy sector recognises this under-the-grid market. In fact, <a href="https://www.kenyacic.org/sites/default/files/publications/KCIC%20Solar%20Survey-3.pdf">about 35%</a> of solar lighting product sales in Kenya are made in peri-urban areas. And it’s a good bet. <a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2889673">Evidence</a> shows that the willingness to pay for decentralised renewables is much higher than a grid connection because they are seen as more reliable.</p>
<p><a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/532f79fae4b07e365baf1c64/t/58e3f73ce4fcb5a3a0989855/1491334979777/Decentralized-Renewables-From-Promise-to-Progress-March-2017.pdf">Policies to support</a> decentralised technologies include: integrated energy planning that incorporates these solutions, adopting and enforcing product quality control standards and providing financial incentives – like reduced import duties for products or local loan and grant programs.</p>
<p>These solutions show that with the right approach, and simple innovations, Africa’s prospective urban customers can finally get access to electricity.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/92211/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /><em>Ben Attia, a Research Consultant with Greentech Media, contributed to the writing of this article</em></p>
<p><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/rebekah-shirley-440192">Rebekah Shirley</a>, Research Director at Power for All and Visiting Research Scholar, <em><a href="http://theconversation.com/institutions/strathmore-university-2081">Strathmore University</a></em></p>
<p>This article was originally published on <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a>. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/millions-of-urban-africans-still-dont-have-electricity-heres-what-can-be-done-92211">original article</a>.</p>


Millions of urban Africans still don’t have electricity: this is how to fix the problem…

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<p>Energy Minister Jeff Radebe is finally going ahead with the signing of 27 renewable energy power projects after the North Gauteng High Court&#8217;s dismissal of a court bid by the National Union of Metalworkers and Transform RSA to block the projects.</p>


Energy minister to finally sign 27 renewable energy power projects

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<p>CNBC Africa reporter Lubabalo Mashiqana is joined by the president of TransformSA, Adil Nchabeleng to get his views on the IPP case currently being heard at the North Guateng High court.</p>


Why TransformSA is opposed to Eskom’s IPP deals

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<p>The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has made its representations at the North Guateng High court, following an urgent interdict to stop government and Eskom from signing contracts with 27 IPPs.</p>


NUMSA outlines position on renewable energy

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<p>The AECF and  Swedish International Development Agency have signed a US$48 million agreement to fund Renewable Energy. Victor Ndiege, Portfolio Manager at AECF joins CNBC Africa for more on the agreement.</p>


SIDA, AECF to fund SMEs in renewable energy

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<p>France&#8217;s Consular General to Nigeria says France is interested in other sectors of Nigeria’s economy besides oil and is setting its sights on Nigeria&#8217;s renewable energy space.</p>


Nigeria, France seek ways to increase trade

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<p>Nigeria’s Vice President Osinbanjo has urged oil majors to invest in renewable energy to reduce the country’s dependence on crude oil. The country is targeting an energy mix with renewable energy of 30 per cent of the gross energy produced by 2030.</p>


Can Nigeria achieve its renewable energy potential?

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<p>Energy availability and affordability remains a top priority Rwanda with 8 per cent year on year demand growth. Davide Bonsignore, COO &#038; Founder of OffGridBox unpacks their role in ensuring clean water and renewable energy in rural Rwanda.</p>


OffGridBox aims to provide clean water, power in rural Rwanda

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<p>Rwanda hosts Renewable Energy for Sustainable Growth conference in a bid to showcase technology with an aim to scale up renewable energy, CNBC Africa spoke to Ivan Twagirashema, Chief Executive Officer at Ngali Holdings.</p>


Renewable energy players meet in Kigali

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<p>Nigeria&#8217;s minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun has asked the World Bank and International Monetary Fund to scale up provision and access to renewable energy in Nigeria in order to deliver development results and meet global climate goals.</p>


Investing in Nigeria’s energy mix

<p data-reactid="39">Mozambique offered a portfolio of small renewable energy projects to foreign investors on Tuesday which it hopes will attract $500 million in investment and give everyone in the southern African country electricity by 2030.</p>
<p data-reactid="40">Around 60 percent of people living in Mozambique, which is highly indebted, have no access to electricity.</p>
<p data-reactid="41">“The initiative is intended to ensure that within a 15 year horizon the Mozambican population has access to electricity outside the national power grid, thanks to small autonomous systems,” the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy said.</p>
<p data-reactid="42">It plans to do this by providing electricity to some 332 villages around the country using hydro and solar power.</p>
<p data-reactid="43">The portfolio has identified potential sites for projects using solar, hydro or a combination and could attract an estimated investment of $500 million, it said</p>
<div class="Attribution_attribution_o4ojT" data-reactid="44">
<p class="Attribution_content_27_rw" data-reactid="45">Reporting by Manuel Mucari; editing by Alexander Smith</p>
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renewable energy

ZOLA Electric targets Africa expansion in renewable energy

Investec, UK Climate Investments commit R1bn for renewable energy in Africa

This firm aims to provide clean cooking solutions

First major battery storage project in works for South Africa’s Eskom, what you need to know

Nigeria raises renewable energy targets to 30% by 2030

This small SA town is big on renewables, here’s why

Millions of urban Africans still don’t have electricity: this is how to fix the problem…

Energy minister to finally sign 27 renewable energy power projects

Why TransformSA is opposed to Eskom’s IPP deals

NUMSA outlines position on renewable energy

SIDA, AECF to fund SMEs in renewable energy

Nigeria, France seek ways to increase trade

Can Nigeria achieve its renewable energy potential?

OffGridBox aims to provide clean water, power in rural Rwanda

Renewable energy players meet in Kigali

Investing in Nigeria’s energy mix

Mozambique hopes to raise $500MN for renewable energy projects

News Tips

Advertise With Us

renewable energy

ZOLA Electric targets Africa expansion in renewable energy

Investec, UK Climate Investments commit R1bn for renewable energy in Africa

This firm aims to provide clean cooking solutions

First major battery storage project in works for South Africa’s Eskom, what you need to know

Nigeria raises renewable energy targets to 30% by 2030

This small SA town is big on renewables, here’s why

Millions of urban Africans still don’t have electricity: this is how to fix the problem…

Energy minister to finally sign 27 renewable energy power projects

Why TransformSA is opposed to Eskom’s IPP deals

NUMSA outlines position on renewable energy

SIDA, AECF to fund SMEs in renewable energy

Nigeria, France seek ways to increase trade

Can Nigeria achieve its renewable energy potential?

OffGridBox aims to provide clean water, power in rural Rwanda

Renewable energy players meet in Kigali

Investing in Nigeria’s energy mix

Mozambique hopes to raise $500MN for renewable energy projects

News Tips

Advertise With Us

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