Private sector helps African renewables beat deadlines

July 02, 2025

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Africa is witnessing an acceleration in renewable energy projects, with several key plants coming online ahead of schedule. Solar energy, in particular, dominates these projects, but wind power initiatives are also progressing faster than expected. This week, Egypt commissioned the 650 MW Red Sea Wind Energy project four months ahead of schedule.

  • In our Renewables Rising project database, we have tracked at least 19 renewable energy projects that have been completed since the start of the year. These projects total more than 6,100 MW and 1,352 MWh in battery storage. Solar projects integrated with battery storage account for about 30% of the total capacity.

  • Solar PV is advancing rapidly due to its lower cost and modular design, making it quick to deploy and easy to expand. Unlike traditional power plants, with long construction timelines, solar facilities can be built in phases. This allows for faster initial power generation and subsequent expansions.

  • Our take: The private sector's financial muscle and appetite for revenue act as strong incentives to fast-track project development… Read more (2 min)

The Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) market has a generation capacity shortfall of 4,509 MW. While some countries in the region have surplus power, their transmission network hampers distribution. This has impacted the electricity market competitive platform trading volumes, which dropped to 7% in the 2024/25 financial year due to generation shortages.

  • The region's Deputy Executive Secretary, Ms. Angele Makombo N'Tumba, has called for the urgent need to operationalise the Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility (RTIFF) to unlock capital for critical projects and fast-track their development.

  • The region has some of the continent’s most energy-intensive industries, including mining. They require reliable supply, and their consistent revenues offer attractive payment guarantees that should draw in power developers.

  • Our take: More players in the competitive electricity market will guarantee the best price deals… Read more (2 min)

Solar home systems are becoming a lifeline for Nigerian professionals juggling erratic grid power and hybrid work demands. We caught up with Daniel Agbelusi, a Lagos-based finance consultant, who shared how solar energy has transformed his productivity and cut his energy costs over the past three and a half years.

  • Daniel’s solar system wasn’t his first energy backup solution, but it has proven to be the most cost-effective. "With Nigeria’s unstable grid, you either endure blackouts or spend heavily on fuel. Solar gave me a middle ground," he says. 

  • His solar home system powers his home office, ventilation and appliances, though performance dips slightly during rainy seasons.

  • Read the full spotlight here…(2 min)

Global South Utilities (GSU), a UAE-based resources investment firm, has inked two solar project agreements with the Government of Madagascar

 

Events

🗓️ Learn how South Africa’s energy sector is evolving (Jul 30)

🗓️ Sign up for the smart metering and water security webinar (Aug 7)

🗓️ Participate in a webinar on green hydrogen water connection (Jul 24)

Jobs

💸 Join Zafiri’s team as  the Senior Financial Reporting Accountant (Kenya)

👨🏻‍💼 Become Engie’s Health, Safety, Security & Environment Manager (Rwanda)

👷 Apply for Scatec Solar’s Project Site Planner position (Tunisia)

Various 

💰 AfDB backs South Africa's green growth with $474.6 million loan

🔌 MTN Nigeria finalises initial phase of $235 million data centre project

⚡ KCIC invites applications for the 2025 Cleantech Innovation Competition

Seen on LinkedIn 

Bilha Ndirangu, Chief Executive Officer at Great Carbon Valley, says, “If Africa is to embrace AI at scale, it must confront a critical, often overlooked question: Where will the energy come from?”