Africa made a major leap in renewable energy last year by doubling its new hydropower capacity, adding 4.5 gigawatts—thanks largely to Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere project and Ethiopia’s Grand Renaissance Dam. These two giants alone contributed well over 3,000 megawatts to the continent’s electricity capacity, with Tanzania’s project surpassing hydropower installations in every other country besides China. However, while hydropower now supplies 20% of the continent’s power, only 11% of its full potential has been tapped. Meanwhile, plans exist for an additional 63 gigawatts of hydropower projects across the continent, but funding shortfalls continue to stall progress. Many facilities are also aging, with half over 30 years old, highlighting the urgent need for upgrades. While hydropower offers long-term payoffs, bridging short-term investment gaps remains Africa’s biggest challenge in unlocking its full hydro potential.
Bloomberg
