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Identification of advantageous electricity generation options in sub-Saharan Africa integrating existing resources

Nature Energy volume 1, Article number: 16140 (2016) Cite this article

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Abstract

Pioneering approaches are needed to accelerate universal access to electricity while simultaneously transitioning to reliable, sustainable and affordable energy systems. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the challenges lie in attracting the private sector to complement public investments. Here, we present an integrated ‘low-hanging-fruit’ approach aimed at boosting private investment and speeding up the deployment of renewable energy systems in SSA. We analyse the potential of existing energy infrastructure, where a significant upfront investment has already been made, to be exploited for electricity generation. We develop a comprehensive methodology to identify and select suitable locations in SSA and estimate their potential for exploitation. These locations have been further analysed in terms of power capacity potential, electricity output, investments needed and population to be benefited. This strategy to attract additional finance can easily be reproduced, engaging private investors while simultaneously helping to achieve the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals on energy.

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Figure 1: Workflow to identify low-hanging fruits for RE development in SSA.
Figure 2: Aerial images of three classes of NPDs.
Figure 3: Identified low-hanging fruits of RE in Africa.
Figure 4: Analysis of night-light satellite images.

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Acknowledgements

The views expressed in this paper are purely those of the writers and may not in any circumstances be regarded as statements of an official position of the European Commission.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), Directorate for Energy, Transport and Climate, Energy Efficiency and Renewables Unit, Via E. Fermi, 2749, I-21027 Ispra (VA), Italy

    Sándor Szabó, Magda Moner-Girona & Ioannis Kougias

  2. Stockholm Environment Institute, 11 Curtis Avenue Somerville, Massachusetts 02144, USA

    Rob Bailis

  3. Department of Physical Geography & Geoinformatics, University of Szeged, Egyetem str. 2-6, 6722 Szeged, Hungary

    Katalin Bódis

Authors
  1. Sándor Szabó
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  2. Magda Moner-Girona
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  3. Ioannis Kougias
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  4. Rob Bailis
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  5. Katalin Bódis
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Contributions

S.S. conceived the methodological approach, planned, outlined and led the project. K.B. designed and applied the geospatial decision-making model to identify the analysed energy options, and developed the GIS database for the Supplementary Information. M.M.-G. analysed the finance-policy interactions, I.K. developed the methodology to estimate the hydropower potential and coordinated the analysis of existing dams, R.B. contributed to the bioenergy part, and each of the co-authors contributed equally to composing the final text.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Sándor Szabó.

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The authors declare no competing financial interests.

Supplementary information

Supplementary Information

Supplementary Methods, Supplementary Tables 1–6, Supplementary Figures 1–11, Supplementary Notes 1–3 and Supplementary References. (PDF 2761 kb)

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Szabó, S., Moner-Girona, M., Kougias, I. et al. Identification of advantageous electricity generation options in sub-Saharan Africa integrating existing resources. Nat Energy 1, 16140 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nenergy.2016.140

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