Africa has substantial new and renewable energy resources, with more than 1.1 million GW of exploitable hydropower capacity, more than 9,000 MW of geothermal potential, abundant biomass potential, substantial solar potential, and in some countries, significant wind potential. In contrast to fossil fuel reserves which are potentially major sources of harmful local and global emissions that tend to be concentrated to a few countries, renewable sources of energy are not only environmentally-benign but are better distributed throughout the continent. While policy makers today recognise that RETs cannot solve all of Africa's energy problems, RETs are still seen as having a significant unexploited potential to enable African countries to meet their growing energy requirements.
Renewable energy is already the dominant source of energy for the household sub-sector.
If properly harnessed, it could meet a significant proportion of energy demand from the industrial, agricultural, transport and commercial sub-sectors. Six country case studies were undertaken in Botswana, Kenya, Lesotho, Seychelles, Uganda and Zambia. In its analysis of the RETs dissemination in the region, the study reveals that institutional deficiencies, pricing distortions and limited information on renewable energy are the key barriers to the dissemination of RETs. The report concludes that there are measures that would encourage the large-scale dissemination of renewable energy technologies in the region. All the institutions and agencies involved should work more closely in the development and promotion of RETs.