Masen explores
SHARED READS
A culture of sharing experiences and information is a prerequisite for the worldwide development of renewable energy. With this in mind, “Masen Explores” regularly highlights reports published by major players in the renewables sector.
MASEN EXPLORES – JUNE 2017
Masen’s first shared read in this section is a report by the Africa Progress Panel (APP) that focuses on subjects that are important to the company. Drawing on its expertise and experience of integrated renewable energy development in Morocco, Masen is increasingly involved at continental level, through South-South cooperation. The challenge highlighted by the APP – to reduce Africa’s energy divide – is therefore central to Masen’s approach.
Kofi Annan's appeal to reduce Africa's energy divide
The Africa Progress Panel (APP), which is chaired by Kofi Annan, has published a new report entitled “Lights Power Action: Electrifying Africa” in which it calls for governments, development partners and private players to increase the use of all available means to reduce the continent’s energy divide. The report describes the policy frameworks to choose in order to support “the ambitious initiatives, both public and private, that are flourishing on the continent,” and recommends a massive increase in investment to boost these initiatives.
Reinforcement of domestic and supranational networks and South-South cooperation on energy are just as vital. This will enable us to release Africa’s huge renewable energy potential and solve its energy “trilemma”: how to ensure reliable and sustainable power at an affordable price? It is specifically with this in mind that Morocco has begun an extensive grid connection programme with his southern neighbours.
While grid models remain the foundation of Africa’s energy supply, the panel’s experts favour increased investment in off-grid and mini-grid models, which are quicker to set up and as close as possible to people who do not have access to electricity and cannot wait for a centralized connection. Innovations in terms of technology, economic models and payment structures,along with the emergence of entrepreneurs, represent powerful transformation drivers for more resilient and diverse energy systems.
To the east, a capacity of no less than 1200 MW of power lines has been developed with Algeria. Interconnections with Mauritania are currently being studied with a view to strengthening Morocco's regional integration with West Africa. Many partnerships have also been signed, notably with Senegal and Djibouti during COP22, to stimulate wide-scale development of renewables capacity in Africa.
Full report in English
DownloadKofi Annan's appeal
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