Power generation in Africa is a continuous process that has continued to play a significant role in the economic developments in the region.
The continent displays varied energy demands, use and development. Some African countries produce energy while others import it for use.
Fossil fuels, natural gas, and hydropower are the leading sources of power energy in Africa as of 2019, according to Statista. Natural gas constituted almost 334 terawatt hours, coal generated 260, while hydropower had an output of 141 terawatt hours.
ENERGY DEMAND AND USE IN AFRICA
According to Africa Energy Outlook 2019, energy demand in the continent is currently at 700 terawatt hours and is projected to increase to 1600 terawatt hours in 2040.
This is attributed to the production services and emerging middle-income households in the region.
Solar energy, wind and geothermal energy are gaining traction in the African energy demands, with countries like Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, and South Africa taking lead in the development of the sources.
Energy is useful in many African economic sectors including health and education and is significant in reducing the cost of business operations.
This taps available economic potential, creating job opportunities for the region’s population.
UNIVERSAL POWER ACCESS
Reports show that over 640 million Africans lack access to energy, representing 40 per cent of the region’s population. The World Bank intends to achieve universal electricity access by 2025.
About 160 GW power capacity is required, with 130 million new on-grid connections, and 75 million new off-grid connections to provide 150 million households with access to clean electricity in the scheme.
The initiative involves making power utilities financially affordable to many African households.
However, among the problems posing challenges to the scheme is finances. Most power providers in the region face cash challenges in power distribution.
The World Bank projects about $20 billion (KSh 2.4 trillion) to be used for universal electrification across Sub-Saharan Africa. This is where a company like Burhani Engineers Ltd comes in.
The company has over 43 years of experience boasting of technical expertise amassed across both renewable and non-renewable energy sources across East Africa.
Burhani is best known for services including supply, installation, testing, commission, and maintenance of electrical systems across the hydro, geothermal, wind and solar power plants. It also provides solutions for diesel, Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO), and biomass power plants among others.
Power transmission in the East Africa region is at the core of solutions offered by Burhani Engineers Ltd. The company provide solutions to design, supply and install up to 500KV of power lines. The solutions have also delivered step-up or step-down substations in the voltage grade of 110KV, 66KV, 33KV, 11KV, 6.6KV and distribution lines of 33KV, 22KV, and 11KV.
The company executed projects from design to execution, service and maintenance in various industries including onshore gas plants, petroleum refineries, retail distribution sites, pipelines, terminals, substations, and power plants.
Other generation solutions from the company include the procurement and maintenance of switchgear and process automation panels, soft starters and motor control panels for the oil, gas and food and beverage industries, airports, seaports, and mining industries.
Meanwhile, power generation in Africa is an evolving trend subject to a few factors that stakeholders continue to navigate. Africa energy generation, distribution, demand, and use vary from region to region, which has led to the underlying factors highlighted below.
FACTORS UNDERLYING POWER GENERATION IN AFRICA
Poverty and Health
The consumption of energy resources in Africa is believed to be key in diminishing poverty across different households. This can be achieved through the implementation of clean energy systems which also leads to the improvement of people’s health.
Power Generation in the continent is also a sure way of bridging employment gaps. The majority of people will grasp the opportunity to engage in other businesses which are cost-effective.
Education
The consumption of energy resources in Africa is believed to be key in diminishing poverty across different households. This can be achieved through the implementation of clean energy systems which also leads to the improvement of people’s health.
Inequality
The installation and maintenance of electrical systems in both urban and rural areas create balance. This allows the people to equally share and develop economically.
CONCLUSION
Power generation involves the creation of electric power from various primary sources including hydropower, solar, wind and geothermal energy. This is the most significant stage prior to the distribution of electric power to consumers.
Power generation in Africa is shifting to renewable and clean sources of energy. This is attributed to climate change action.
Discuss your power capacity development needs with Burhani Engineers