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Small scale renewable energy has big future in Africa

“Many developmental agencies consider small-scale RE projects as the most feasible solution for accelerated rural electrification and therefore are increasingly investing in medium-sized projects, especially wind and solar projects.”

South Africa’s Renewable Energy Gold Rush Renewable Energy news, by Energy Matters, 2 Nov 10, Renewable Energy in South AfricaSub-Saharan Africa is likely to become the new boom region for global renewable energy investment, according to a new international study. Research contained in a report from market research firm Frost and Sullivan has found that African nations such as Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa are instituting renewable energy-friendly policies which it says will attract major investment once fully realised.

According to Frost and Sullivan Energy and Power Systems Programme Manager Cornelis van der Waal, it is these “pro RE” (renewable energy) government schemes that have helped small-scale solar and wind generation projects contribute to the overall growth of the industry.

“South Africa and Kenya, leaders in the RE industry, have announced feed-in tariffs for RE projects along with other regional governments that are currently investigating opportunities for RE projects,” he says.

“Many developmental agencies consider small-scale RE projects as the most feasible solution for accelerated rural electrification and therefore are increasingly investing in medium-sized projects, especially wind and solar projects.”

In a country where many people are not connected to mains grid power, it is the off-grid solar power market that will experience a significant expansion, calculated at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of more than 10 per cent between 2009 and 2015.

South Africa’s Renewable Energy Gold Rush : Renewable Energy News :

November 2, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AFRICA, decentralised | climate change, energy efficiency, global warming, renewable energy, renewables, solar, wind