76% of Africa’s energy could come from renewable sources by 2040: here’s how

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on The Conversation or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: A team of Rwandan and German researchers in renewable energy scientific modeling has developed the Renewable Power Plant Database Africa, the first of its kind, to explore extending electricity access in Africa without exacerbating global warming
• Their analysis reveals potential for significant shifts towards renewable energy sources across the continent

🔭 The context: The database integrates data on hydro, wind, and solar energy sources from existing and planned projects, offering a comprehensive view of Africa's renewable energy potential 
• It highlights that with full utilization of current and planned renewable energy projects, 76% of Africa's electricity could be sourced from renewables by 2040, predominantly from hydro, solar, and wind power

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Transitioning to renewable energy sources is crucial for addressing both the electricity access gap in Africa and the global challenge of climate change 
• The findings suggest that a mix of hydro, wind, and solar power, supported by transnational electricity sharing and open data access, could provide a sustainable and equitable energy future for Africa without increasing fossil fuel reliance

⏭️ What's next: For this renewable energy transition to materialize, African countries must embrace international electricity sharing and manage renewable energy expansion in a way that considers the interests of various stakeholders, including local communities 
• Moreover, cooperation on transboundary water management and sharing high-quality data are essential for optimizing the continent's renewable energy development

💬 One quote: "Hybrid solutions, combining hydro, wind, and solar power, represent the most sustainable alternative to relying solely on hydropower," the research team suggests.

📈 One stat: The database contains records for 1,074 hydropower, 1,128 solar, and 276 wind power plants across Africa, illustrating the continent's substantial renewable energy potential.

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