Data reveals impact of Covid pandemic on Africa’s power generation growth


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A net 5,733MW was added to the continent’s grid during 2021, the lowest figure since 2012.

10 June 2022.

African Energy Live Data recorded PPAs signed for 1,479MW of new capacity in 2021, compared with 5,417MW in 2020 when national authorities were more optimistic the pandemic’s impact would be short-lived. The 2016-20 five-year annual average for PPA signings was 4,410MW.

Selected trends

  • Fewer projects came online in North Africa but in terms of MW sub-Saharan Africa did slightly better than in 2020 with 3,394MW added in 2021.
  • A substantial increase in the rate of generation plant commissioning is inevitable and will be weighted in favour of new technologies.
  • As of early June 2022, Live Data recorded 382GW of generation projects at the construction or planning phase, compared to total installed capacity of 242GW (a significant proportion of which is not actually available).
  • Some 65GW of potential additions (535 projects) have expected commissioning dates between now and 2025; 135 of these are under construction, comprising 32GW of capacity.

Read the full analysis

 

We use African Energy Live Data to provide clients with analysis of the current status and trajectory of Africa’s power generation sector.  We can tailor our data and analysis offering for a wide range of uses including support for sales and investment opportunities, energy modelling, mapping, sector and competitor analysis or case studies.

Drop me an email to discuss out how we can help your business.

Ajay Ubhi

Head of data

Ajay’s role is to conduct and oversee research and analysis for African Energy’s consultancy work, with a focus on power sector forecasting and data analytics. Read more

Ajay Ubhi