Africa faces new e-waste problem as renewables surge

June 08, 2025

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South Africa installed about 1,300 MWh of lithium-ion battery capacity in 2023, equivalent to around 9,000 tonnes of battery materials. In 2025, at least 2,000 MWh of battery storage projects have already been announced. Energy experts warn that battery waste volumes are set to surge, raising concerns about recycling readiness and regulatory enforcement.

  • South Africa needs to install between 3,000 MW and 5,000 MW of renewables annually until 2030 to meet its carbon targets. As these grow, battery storage will grow in tandem to meet grid stability needs.

  • Egypt and Morocco have also scaled up their deployment of battery storage plants. Other African countries are piloting similar projects. Yet, they lack lithium-ion battery waste handling and recycling plans.

  • Our take: African governments need to set clear frameworks for e-waste management before they get overwhelmed… Read more (2 min)

Pay-as-you-go (PAYGo) solar has been lauded as a solution for affordable solar energy, eliminating the upfront cost of a solar home system. But technology issues on PAYGo systems can be a blocker for successful services. This week, Renewables Rising interviewed Grace Paul, a solar home system owner from Machakos, Kenya, on her experience. 

  • Grace’s solar home system includes solar panels and a lithium iron phosphate battery powering lights, a TV, and small appliances.

  • She said, “Even after I finished payments, the system sometimes locks unexpectedly. I’ve gone days without power, waiting for customer support to fix it. That unpredictability affects my daily life and farm productivity.”

  • Read the full conversation here …(2 min)

Kenya's captive power capacity is set to almost double by 2030 from the current 600 MW, according to the industry body, ESAK. Financing will be crucial for this expansion. This week, Renewables Rising interviewed Gumato Golo, a Business Development Officer for energy company Distributed Power Africa (DPA), to shed light on available financing options.

  • Gumato has worked in the solar space for over four years. She served in the role of business development for several energy companies, including Ofgen, Raynow Energy, and Central Electricals International Limited, before joining DPA.

  • She is optimistic about the sector's future, expecting net metering and power wheeling regulations (currently under development) to significantly alter market dynamics.

  • Click here to read more on our conversation… Read more (2 min)

Participants lift their trophy at the 21st Energy Management Awards held in Kenya

 

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Various 

🔌 Vodacom Group powers its operations with 100% renewables

💸 SEFA approves $6.3m for Africa's power infrastructure 

🟢  Sierra Leone launches its first 5G network powered by renewables

Seen on LinkedIn 

Kisao Fidel, Renewable Energy Officer at Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation, says, “Communities must be at the centre of energy planning — because when people own it, they protect it.”