Africa is making progress in renewable energy investments, with Egypt, Kenya, and Morocco leading in solar, wind, and geothermal projects, Africa Managing Director of 350 Africa, Landry Ninteretse, has said.
In an interview, he said there is a long way to go to achieve universal access to clean energy.
Ninteretse noted that Florida or Belgium have a higher rate of solar panels than Africa that is home to more than 40 per cent of the world’s reserves of key minerals for batteries and renewable energy technologies and whose solar energy potential is 50 times greater than the world’s electricity demand forecast for 2040.
According to him, accelerating renewables is not only crucial for reducing reliance on fossil fuels but also promoting sustainable and inclusive growth.
“Efforts to improve energy access and electrification can be accelerated only if the barriers are removed: limited investments in renewable sources of energy, inadequate financial mechanisms, insufficient policy and regulatory frameworks and limited technical competence and expertise. This will enable communities to have increased electricity access through initiatives like mini-grid solar projects,” he said.
He said as a movement-building organisation, 350Africa.org supports campaigns and initiatives to accelerate an inclusive transition to renewable energy and social justice, not only in areas where renewable minerals are found.
“We mobilise across the continent and deepen commitment of citizens to fight for a sustainable future powered by renewables. We run strategic campaigns in West, East and South Africa in coordination with partners, allies, and communities. We support struggles to confront climate injustices and amplify a narrative on the necessity for climate-smart development rooted in renewables, justice, and equity in Africa,” he said.
On adoption of renewable energy in Africa, Ninteretse said people have understood that the classic centralised models of electrification are expensive and extremely slow.
“They resort to renewables despite constraints of price and quality of equipment on the market. Hence our advocacy with polluting countries historically responsible for climate crisis and governments so the former provides funding, and that the latter ensures barriers to adoption of renewable are removed,” he said.
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Continuing, he said public-private partnerships are essential for driving renewable energy-sector reforms and infrastructure development.
He called for strong and steady advocacy and promotion of renewable energy sources on the continent.
“Such efforts should emphasise quality, durability and efficiency of technology and equipment used. The role of government and its agencies is to ensure the technologies and equipment used meet international standards, not only to protect the population but also not to cause rejection of renewable energy disappointed by poor quality of products in circulation”.
He reiterated there is no future for fossil fuels, at least in the long run. We live in the last days of economies boosted by oil, gas, and coal.
“This is an historic and pivotal moment for Africa to get the continent’s economies leapfrog by harnessing clean energy resources. This is a reality African leaders must understand to make right choices for the people, their livelihoods, and planet, instead of falling into a trap of a dying industry,” he said.
He said developing nations went to COP29 with hopes the $1.3 trillion per year funding request would be met.
“Unfortunately, latest text published regarding the funding goal speaks of $300 billion per year in climate finance by 2035. This represents less than a fifth of required funding. This demonstrates once again that the rich countries responsible for the climate crisis are gambling with living conditions of people in Global South”.
Ninteretse said pressure and strong leadership from most affected countries are needed to hold the line in our demand for fair, adequate and ambitious climate finance.