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Source: The Independent

Africa has the highest percentage of untapped technical hydropower potential in the world, with only 11 per cent utilised, according to the 2019 Hydropower Status Report, published by the International Hydropower Association (IHA) this week.

In 2018, over 1 GW of hydropower capacity was put into operation across the continent, with total installed capacity now exceeding 36 GW, experts gathered in France for the World Hydropower congress were informed.

Despite its vast renewable energy resources, the report states, Africa continues to rely on oil and gas along with traditional biomass combustion for energy consumption. Hydropower is responsible for 86 per cent of all non-fossil fuel energy use.

The African Union and African Development Bank supported Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) regards hydropower development as a priority, alongside interconnections for regional power pools. The PIDA estimates that the region’s total generating capacity needs to increase by 6 per cent per year to 2040 from the current total of 125 GW to keep pace with rising electricity demand.

Africa’s hydropower installed capacity is expected to grow by about 4,700 MW over the next two to three years. Major projects include the 2,070 MW Lauca hydropower project in Angola (of which 1,336 MW is already operational), the 750 MW Kafue Gorge Lower Power Station in Zambia, the 700 MW Zungeru project in Nigeria, as well as the 183.2 MW Isimba project, commissioned in March 2019, and soon to be commissioned 600 MW Karuma project in Uganda.

In Uganda, the Isimba Hydroelectric Dam was commissioned in early 2019 while the Karuma project is expected to be commissioned in the next one year. These two hydropower stations will double Uganda’s total hydropower installed capacity, moving from 764 MW today to 1552 MW.