popular articles

The Rise of Off-Grid Solar in Africa: A Lever for Rapid Electrification

With 600 million Africans without electricity, massive investments in off-grid solar are emerging as a key solution. Cheaper and quicker to deploy than national grids, this model is attracting interest from donors and governments.

Please share:

Sub-Saharan Africa faces a major electrification challenge. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nearly 570 million people do not have access to electricity out of a total population of 1.2 billion in 2022. Faced with the budgetary constraints of states and the logistical challenges of expanding national grids, off-grid solar is emerging as an increasingly credible alternative.

Growing Investments for an Agile Solution

At a summit held in Tanzania, the World Bank and the African Development Bank announced significant financial commitments to support the development of off-grid solar. These institutions plan to mobilize between $30 billion and $40 billion for the World Bank, and $18 billion for the African Development Bank, in order to accelerate access to electricity across the continent.

Off-grid solar, which encompasses solutions ranging from photovoltaic lamps to independent mini-grids, benefits from constant improvements in terms of efficiency and costs. The falling prices of solar panels, combined with technological advances, now make it possible to power increasingly energy-consuming devices, including televisions and refrigerators.

A Competitive Alternative to National Grids

The expansion of traditional electrical grids remains a major challenge. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where only 21% of the population had access to electricity in 2022, according to the World Bank, extending the grid represents a colossal investment. Existing infrastructure covers a small portion of the territory, limiting access to rural and remote areas.

Even in better-equipped countries like Kenya, the national grid only covers 40% of the country, leaving a large portion of the population dependent on off-grid solar, which already accounts for 20-25% of electricity access. The rapid deployment and flexibility of these solutions make them an immediate response to the needs of populations and businesses.

An Expanding Market Amid Frequent Power Cuts

Frequent power outages in several countries increase the attractiveness of off-grid solar. In Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, power cuts are common, and diesel generators remain a widespread but expensive solution. In South Africa, where the 2023-2024 energy crisis disrupted many economic sectors, the use of solar has accelerated to counter the instability of the grid.

This situation fuels demand for autonomous solutions and reduces dependence on centralized infrastructure. Many households and businesses are investing in these technologies to secure their electricity supply while optimizing their operational costs.

A Demographic and Economic Challenge

Despite these advances, the number of Africans without electricity continues to rise. Between 2010 and 2022, this figure increased from 566 million to 570 million, according to the IEA. The continent’s rapid population growth is putting constant pressure on existing energy infrastructure, while successive economic crises have hindered electrification initiatives.

The Covid-19 pandemic also contributed to slowing down grid extension projects, impacting the investment capacity of states and businesses. The combination of these factors highlights the urgency of accelerating the deployment of off-grid solutions to meet the needs of a growing population.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

TotalEnergies acquires a portfolio of solar and battery projects in the United Kingdom

TotalEnergies has acquired a 350 MW portfolio of solar projects and 85 MW of battery storage in the United Kingdom, expected to be operational by 2028 and supplying the equivalent of 100,000 British households.
Tokyo Electric Power Company signed a financing agreement with Bank SinoPac to support a 40 MW rooftop solar project in Singapore, marking a first for the group in the Asia-Pacific region.
Tokyo Electric Power Company signed a financing agreement with Bank SinoPac to support a 40 MW rooftop solar project in Singapore, marking a first for the group in the Asia-Pacific region.
rPlus Energies finalised over $500mn in tax equity financing with RBC to support the construction of the 800 MW Green River Energy Center in Utah.
rPlus Energies finalised over $500mn in tax equity financing with RBC to support the construction of the 800 MW Green River Energy Center in Utah.
Carey International Group has committed $870mn to the construction of solar projects in the United States, marking the official launch of an energy portfolio led by SYMX Energy, with commissioning scheduled for 2026.
Carey International Group has committed $870mn to the construction of solar projects in the United States, marking the official launch of an energy portfolio led by SYMX Energy, with commissioning scheduled for 2026.

Côte d’Ivoire launches two 200 MWc solar tenders with integrated storage

The Ivorian government has opened two tenders for 100 MWc photovoltaic plants in Dabakala and Niakaramandougou, each with 33 MWh of storage and 25-year IPP concessions.
NextEra Energy Resources has inaugurated its first large-scale solar energy site in Louisiana, marking a key milestone in its expansion strategy with a capacity of 100 megawatts.
NextEra Energy Resources has inaugurated its first large-scale solar energy site in Louisiana, marking a key milestone in its expansion strategy with a capacity of 100 megawatts.
The two FirstEnergy subsidiaries have opened a third solar site on former industrial land, in cooperation with local partners, reaching a total capacity of 30 megawatts.
The two FirstEnergy subsidiaries have opened a third solar site on former industrial land, in cooperation with local partners, reaching a total capacity of 30 megawatts.
The La Gineste park, jointly developed by Q ENERGY and Velto Renewables, has a capacity of 9 MWc and marks a strengthening of the business partnership between the two companies in the Occitanie region.
The La Gineste park, jointly developed by Q ENERGY and Velto Renewables, has a capacity of 9 MWc and marks a strengthening of the business partnership between the two companies in the Occitanie region.

EDF and KOWEPO win 1.5-GW Al Zarraf solar project in Abu Dhabi

EDF and Korea Western Power signed an agreement to develop a 1.5-GW solar power plant in Abu Dhabi, following a tender for which sixteen entities had been prequalified.
The Shafag 11 project in Jabrayil, backed by BP, SOCAR and the Azerbaijan Investment Company, secures a $200mn commitment at the Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition.
The Shafag 11 project in Jabrayil, backed by BP, SOCAR and the Azerbaijan Investment Company, secures a $200mn commitment at the Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition.
Chinese supplier Arctech will equip a green hydrogen project in Duqm with 175 MWp of solar trackers, marking a milestone in the industrial energy development of Oman’s coastal region.
Chinese supplier Arctech will equip a green hydrogen project in Duqm with 175 MWp of solar trackers, marking a milestone in the industrial energy development of Oman’s coastal region.
Singa Renewables receives Singaporean approval to import Indonesian solar electricity, marking a strategic step forward in a regional project led by TotalEnergies and RGE.
Singa Renewables receives Singaporean approval to import Indonesian solar electricity, marking a strategic step forward in a regional project led by TotalEnergies and RGE.

Waaree secures 586 MW solar deal in the US worth $176mn

Indian manufacturer Waaree has signed a $176mn solar module supply agreement with a US-based independent power producer, marking a key step in its industrial presence in the United States.
Solveo Energies has inaugurated an experimental agrivoltaic system in the Pyrénées-Orientales, combining solar power production and crop protection on a farm facing drought conditions.
Solveo Energies has inaugurated an experimental agrivoltaic system in the Pyrénées-Orientales, combining solar power production and crop protection on a farm facing drought conditions.
The Trump administration has cancelled a federal guarantee granted to Sunnova Energy, withdrawing its support for a loan programme intended to finance 100,000 residential solar installations.
The Trump administration has cancelled a federal guarantee granted to Sunnova Energy, withdrawing its support for a loan programme intended to finance 100,000 residential solar installations.
Chinese group LONGi has signed a 102MW supply contract for Hi-MO X10 back contact solar modules with a Finnish energy company, marking a step in its Northern European expansion.
Chinese group LONGi has signed a 102MW supply contract for Hi-MO X10 back contact solar modules with a Finnish energy company, marking a step in its Northern European expansion.

TotalEnergies, Sonangol and Maurel & Prom launch 35 MWp solar plant in Angola

The Quilemba Solar joint venture is building a photovoltaic power plant near Lubango, marking a milestone for private initiative in Angola's electricity sector.
AMPYR Energy USA has completed the acquisition of two large-scale solar projects in the Carolinas, bringing its U.S. portfolio to over 4 GW.
AMPYR Energy USA has completed the acquisition of two large-scale solar projects in the Carolinas, bringing its U.S. portfolio to over 4 GW.
Axian Energy has launched work on the NEA Kolda solar plant, equipped with a 72 MWh storage system, for a total investment of €105mn ($113.6mn).
Axian Energy has launched work on the NEA Kolda solar plant, equipped with a 72 MWh storage system, for a total investment of €105mn ($113.6mn).
Kaduna Electric has signed an agreement to build a 100 MW solar power plant with battery storage in northern Nigeria to strengthen electricity supply in four states affected by chronic outages.
Kaduna Electric has signed an agreement to build a 100 MW solar power plant with battery storage in northern Nigeria to strengthen electricity supply in four states affected by chronic outages.

AES signs two deals to deliver 650 MW of solar to Meta data centres

AES will supply 650 MW of solar capacity to Meta through two long-term power purchase agreements in the United States, strengthening its position in the Southwest Power Pool market.
Boralex signed renewable energy certificate contracts with New York’s energy authority for two solar projects totalling 450 MW in capacity.
Boralex signed renewable energy certificate contracts with New York’s energy authority for two solar projects totalling 450 MW in capacity.
The Ivorian government has approved a 25-year concession for an 85,934 MWh solar power plant in Katiola under a public-private partnership with Swiss energy firm JC Mont-Fort.
The Ivorian government has approved a 25-year concession for an 85,934 MWh solar power plant in Katiola under a public-private partnership with Swiss energy firm JC Mont-Fort.
German group Greencells strengthens its UK presence through an EPC and O&M agreement with Enray Power for a solar plant incorporating an energy storage system in North Yorkshire.
German group Greencells strengthens its UK presence through an EPC and O&M agreement with Enray Power for a solar plant incorporating an energy storage system in North Yorkshire.

Advertising