At the 15th session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Assembly in Abu Dhabi, IRENA’s Director General for Energy Transition, Climate, and Green Industrialization, Safiatou Alouma, hailed South Africa as a leading example of successful renewable energy initiatives in Africa.
Speaking at a press conference, Alouma emphasized the importance of strong political leadership in driving effective renewable energy programs. “South Africa’s renewable energy program demonstrates what can be achieved and serves as a model for other African nations,” she stated.
South Africa’s Renewable Energy Program
The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), launched during COP17 in 2011, aims to boost electricity capacity by leveraging private sector investments in renewable energy sources such as solar photovoltaics, concentrated solar power, and wind energy. The program’s goal is to add 30 GW of renewable energy to the grid by 2030, facilitating the retirement of aging coal-fired power plants.
Since its inception, seven bid windows have been completed, with costs decreasing consistently as technology advances. Recent awards announced on December 23, 2024, revealed power prices ranging from R420.74 to R492.20 per MWh, significantly lower than the R2,029/MWh paid by Eskom for renewable energy in the 2024 fiscal year.
Africa’s Renewable Energy Push
Alouma also highlighted progress under the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA), an initiative aimed at increasing Africa’s renewable energy capacity from 56 GW in 2022 to at least 300 GW by 2030. Djibouti and Mozambique joined the initiative at COP29 in 2024, although national action plans are yet to be finalized.
APRA’s founding members include Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, and Zimbabwe. Alouma clarified that APRA welcomes collaborative projects, such as the joint Zimbabwe-Zambia Batoka Gorge hydropower project on the Zambezi River. The project, modeled after the Kariba Dam, is expected to generate 2,400 MW, with plants on both sides of the river.
The APRA initiative focuses on three key areas:
- Mobilizing finance to support renewable energy projects.
- Engaging the private sector to foster investment and innovation.
- Building skills to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.
Alouma reiterated that APRA is an African-led initiative, with action plans tailored by participating nations rather than imposed by external organizations. She pointed to South Africa’s REIPPPP and the NEPAD green corridor initiative as exemplary projects promoting renewable energy trade across borders, reducing costs for consumers, and enhancing climate resilience.
These developments highlight Africa’s growing commitment to renewable energy, with South Africa setting the benchmark for progress in the sector.