2 African Energy Challenges in the Transition Era …
49
2.3 Current Energy Challenges Applicable
to ECOWAS and SADC
Having explored the energy character portfolio in both SADC and
ECOWAS regions, it is crucial to analyse the dynamic challenges applicable to the energy sector in SADC and ECOWAS region in the SSA.
This analysis of the challenges is necessary to really appreciate what each
Member States strategic geopolitical interests ought to be while dealing
with other Member States.
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.
43 In all of these, less than 4% of the ECOWAS
population has access to the total global energy consumed.
44
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electricity
demand estimates in ECOWAS grew by about 35% from 2000–2012 to
reach 352 TWh.
45 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 most tremendous
demand of 40% of the total demand.
46
Also, the IEA forecasts that annual demand for electricity in Africa will
increase at an average rate of 4% to reach 1570 TWh, including captive
43 World Bank Group, ‘Report on Sub-Saharan Africa Population’, https://data.worldbank.org/
indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=ZG, accessed February 17, 2020.
44 Ibid.
45 IEA-International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook (Paris, 2016).
46 Ibid.
49
2.3 Current Energy Challenges Applicable
to ECOWAS and SADC
Having explored the energy character portfolio in both SADC and
ECOWAS regions, it is crucial to analyse the dynamic challenges applicable to the energy sector in SADC and ECOWAS region in the SSA.
This analysis of the challenges is necessary to really appreciate what each
Member States strategic geopolitical interests ought to be while dealing
with other Member States.
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.
43 In all of these, less than 4% of the ECOWAS
population has access to the total global energy consumed.
44
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), electricity
demand estimates in ECOWAS grew by about 35% from 2000–2012 to
reach 352 TWh.
45 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 most tremendous
demand of 40% of the total demand.
46
Also, the IEA forecasts that annual demand for electricity in Africa will
increase at an average rate of 4% to reach 1570 TWh, including captive
43 World Bank Group, ‘Report on Sub-Saharan Africa Population’, https://data.worldbank.org/
indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=ZG, accessed February 17, 2020.
44 Ibid.
45 IEA-International Energy Agency, World Energy Outlook (Paris, 2016).
46 Ibid.