“Africa’s photovoltaic market has huge potential. In 2023, new solar installed capacity will be 3.74GW, a year-on-year increase of 19%, with the total installed capacity reaching 16.3GW. Although it accounts for only 1% of the global market, the market space is huge.”
“China is willing to implement 30 clean energy projects in Africa, build a meteorological early warning business platform, and carry out cooperation in disaster prevention, mitigation, relief and biodiversity protection. We will establish the China-Africa Forum on the Peaceful Use of Nuclear Technology, build 30 joint laboratories, and carry out cooperation in satellite remote sensing, lunar and deep space exploration to help Africa achieve green development.” On September 5, the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was heard to deepen China-Africa clean energy cooperation.
According to the regular press conference held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 4, energy cooperation is an important part of China-Africa cooperation. In recent years, China has promoted the deepening of China-Africa energy cooperation through technology transfer, project cooperation and financial support. China has implemented hundreds of clean energy and green development projects in Africa, helping African countries to strengthen energy security and mitigate the impact of climate change in Africa and around the world.
Among many renewable energy sources, photovoltaics have shown a relatively rapid growth momentum in Africa in recent years. The report “2024 Solar Energy Outlook: A Review of the Current Status of Solar Energy in African Countries” released by the African Solar Energy Industries Association shows that Africa’s new solar installed capacity will reach 3.74GW in 2023, a year-on-year increase of 19%, setting a historical record, and the total installed capacity will reach 16.3GW.
Although the development of photovoltaics in Africa is only the tip of the iceberg of the global photovoltaic industry – the total capacity accounts for less than 1%, the market potential is huge. In this regard, some analysts believe that the African photovoltaic market is mainly concentrated in South Africa, with a photovoltaic market space of more than 10GW, and an annual demand for the energy storage market of nearly 3GWh. It is expected that more than 1.5GWh will be connected to the grid in the second half of 2024.
At present, many African countries are actively promoting the construction of renewable energy projects.
The reporter found that Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Niger, Namibia and other African countries have clarified their development plans. Among them, the total installed capacity of renewable energy power generation projects approved by the Egyptian government has exceeded 12GW, and it has stated that it will make full use of solar energy, wind energy and other resources to promote the implementation of more renewable energy power generation projects; Tunisia strives to increase the proportion of renewable energy power generation to 24% of total power generation by 2025, and plans to build 8 solar photovoltaic power stations and 8 wind power stations between 2023 and 2025, with a total installed capacity of 800MW and 600MW respectively; Niger’s latest plan is that by 2030, 30% of the country’s electricity will come from renewable energy, and the installed power capacity will increase by at least 5 times to 2GW.
According to statistics from the African Solar Energy Industry Association, South Africa, Morocco, Egypt and other countries continue to lead in photovoltaic construction projects, and more and more regional countries such as Cape Verde, Botswana, Eritrea, etc. are increasing investment in the photovoltaic industry and starting to build and operate large-scale photovoltaic projects.
In fact, Chinese photovoltaic companies have “pioneers” in “going to Africa”.
According to incomplete statistics, as of now, photovoltaic companies such as JinkoSolar, Tongwei Co., Ltd., Trina Solar, Longi Green Energy, JA Solar Technology, and Risen Energy have already made some layouts in Africa.
JinkoSolar told the reporter of 21st Century Business Herald that the company began to explore the African market in 2010. After 14 years of layout, Africa has become an important position in its overseas market. As of now, JinkoSolar’s photovoltaic modules and energy storage products have been exported to a total of 45 countries in Africa, with a market share of nearly 15%.
“Chinese new energy companies such as wind, solar, and energy storage have played an important role in Africa’s energy transformation. Over the years, they have helped African countries develop renewable energy through technology and product exports, project cooperation, financial support, personnel training, and innovative applications.” Qian Jing, vice president of JinkoSolar, expressed his views at the 2024 China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit that thanks to the technical solutions of China’s leading photovoltaic and energy storage companies, most African regions have achieved photovoltaic grid parity, obtained economic development and energy transformation opportunities at the lowest cost, solved the most basic electricity livelihood issues, and promoted the process of industrial greening.
Currently, the top five solar storage markets in Africa include Egypt, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, and South Africa.
On September 4, Hesham Sheta, chairman of Egypt’s INCOME, and his delegation appeared at JA Solar’s Beijing headquarters. In the Egyptian market, JA Solar supplies 560MW of high-efficiency modules for the Kom Ombo Abydos photovoltaic project in Egypt. After completion, the project will be the largest single photovoltaic power generation project in Africa.
The reporter noted that JA Solar Technology said in response to investors in May this year that the company has established 13 sales companies overseas, with sales and service networks covering 165 countries and regions around the world, among which Africa is its key emerging market.
The day before, Kenyan President Hakainde Hichilema visited the Xi’an headquarters of Longi Green Energy, aiming to promote the development of renewable energy such as solar energy in Zambia, enrich the country’s energy structure, and reduce the risks of dependence on a single type of energy.
According to public reports, Longi Green Energy has also deployed sales networks in major African countries. At the AEF 2024 African Energy Summit held in June this year.
According to the current situation, Hanfysolar is also actively deploying the African market. We have cooperative merchants in central and eastern African countries, and we will expand the scope of cooperation to the whole of Africa in the second half of 2024. Photovoltaic has great potential. Contribute our meager strength to Africa’s energy and low-carbon development.
