New African power data: Slow generation growth continues in 2021


Corporate News
24 Nov 2021 - by Dan Marks | 1 minute read

According to new figures released by African Energy Live Data, power generation capacity additions slowed to new lows in Q2 2021 with only 751MW of net on-grid capacity added, the lowest level since 2013.

The new data – with Covid-19 pandemic delays and a broader shift in focus away from generation contributing factors – is below the longer-term average and is at odds with pre- and post-COP26 political statements about installing sustainable, access-creating capacity.

Key Findings:

  • New quarterly low for power generation additions – data shows that 751MW net of on-grid capacity was added over April to June 2021, the lowest quarterly performance since 2013. (These numbers may rise a little over time, as Live Data is in the process of confirming that some 150MW of rental capacity was taken offline during the quarter).

  • Sub-Saharan African worst hit: The vast majority of new capacity added to the grid was in North Africa. Just 88MW was added across sub-Saharan Africa during Q2.

  • Q2 performance well below five-year average: The overall Q2 2021 figures are just 34% of the Q2 average over the previous five years, while in SSA they were only 9% of the five- year average.

  • Gas project has biggest impact: The bulk of new capacity was accounted for by the 650MW Assiut El Walidia III gas-fired plant in Egypt.

  • Solar gains: 157MW of solar PV capacity was added, notably Senegal and Ghana.

  • Liquid fuels reduction: A net 133MW of liquid fuel – largely diesel and heavy fuel oil (HFO) – plants ceased operating.

  • Off-grid slowdown: Live Data also showed a slowdown in off-grid and embedded capacity additions, as the Covid-19 pandemic took its toll.

  • Promising signs ahead? While provisional figures for Q3 21 show only very limited improvement, anecdotal evidence from a range of industry stakeholders suggests business has started to pick up to a significant extent but it will be some time before this is realised on the grid.

Power generation additions in Africa, H1 2021

Further information

For more information about African Energy and this data release plus supporting charts showing the wider H1 2021 state of the power generation sector in Africa, please contact:

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Dan Marks

Power editor (2018-2022)

Dan oversaw the research and development of the African Energy Live Data platform and acted as power editor for African Energy’s newsletter between May 2018 and September 2022. Read more

Dan Marks