44
M. Irowarisima
to reduce high costs on the one hand. On the other hand, maximize
transmission efficiencies and mitigate environmental impacts.
2.2.2 The Character of Energy Portfolio Specific
to West Africa (ECOWAS)
It is important to say straight forward that the data on demand for electricity in SSA are usually highly fluctuating or unavailable and might
not be specific. However, what is specific in terms of data is that the
demand for electricity is growing enormously and a huge portion remains
latent due to low access levels and the dynamic nature of the industry in
the region. This is true because the 2018 SSA’s population is estimated
by the World Bank to be over 1.078 billion, which constitutes 15% of
the World population.
22 In all of these, less than 4% of the ECOWAS
population have access to the total global energy consumed.
23
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electricity
demand estimates in ECOWAS grew by about 35% from 2000–2012 to
reach 352 TWh.
24 Presently, the average per capita electricity consumption in ECOWAS is 488 kilowatts hours (KWH) a year which accounts
for the lowest consumption rate of any major region in the world. By
comparison, in North Africa, the electricity access rate is over 90% and
the electricity demand by 80% from 2000–2012 reaching 1500 kWh
per capita. In ECOWAS, Nigeria and Ghana have the greatest demand
of 40% of the total demand.
25
Now from a global perspective, about 78% of people relying on solid
fuel source for cooking are based in rural areas.
26 This trend is accentuated in the ECOWAS region, such that in every Member State, the
proportion of people in rural settlements relying on solid fuels either
22 World Bank Group, ‘Report on Sub Sharan Africa Population’, https://data.worldbank.org/
indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=ZG, accessed February 17, 2020.
23 Ibid.
24 IEA-International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook (Paris, 2016).
25 Ibid.
26 B McKibben, ‘The Race to Solar-Power Africa’, The New Yorker, June 19, 2017, https://
www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/06/26/the-race-to-solar-power-africa, accessed February 18,
2020.
M. Irowarisima
to reduce high costs on the one hand. On the other hand, maximize
transmission efficiencies and mitigate environmental impacts.
2.2.2 The Character of Energy Portfolio Specific
to West Africa (ECOWAS)
It is important to say straight forward that the data on demand for electricity in SSA are usually highly fluctuating or unavailable and might
not be specific. However, what is specific in terms of data is that the
demand for electricity is growing enormously and a huge portion remains
latent due to low access levels and the dynamic nature of the industry in
the region. This is true because the 2018 SSA’s population is estimated
by the World Bank to be over 1.078 billion, which constitutes 15% of
the World population.
22 In all of these, less than 4% of the ECOWAS
population have access to the total global energy consumed.
23
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electricity
demand estimates in ECOWAS grew by about 35% from 2000–2012 to
reach 352 TWh.
24 Presently, the average per capita electricity consumption in ECOWAS is 488 kilowatts hours (KWH) a year which accounts
for the lowest consumption rate of any major region in the world. By
comparison, in North Africa, the electricity access rate is over 90% and
the electricity demand by 80% from 2000–2012 reaching 1500 kWh
per capita. In ECOWAS, Nigeria and Ghana have the greatest demand
of 40% of the total demand.
25
Now from a global perspective, about 78% of people relying on solid
fuel source for cooking are based in rural areas.
26 This trend is accentuated in the ECOWAS region, such that in every Member State, the
proportion of people in rural settlements relying on solid fuels either
22 World Bank Group, ‘Report on Sub Sharan Africa Population’, https://data.worldbank.org/
indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=ZG, accessed February 17, 2020.
23 Ibid.
24 IEA-International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook (Paris, 2016).
25 Ibid.
26 B McKibben, ‘The Race to Solar-Power Africa’, The New Yorker, June 19, 2017, https://
www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/06/26/the-race-to-solar-power-africa, accessed February 18,
2020.