Appetite for solar power will grow in East Africa

Significance

The AMP reflects a renewed focus among donors on ‘distributed energy resources’ (DERs) -- and solar in particular -- as a primary approach for meeting Africa’s energy needs.

Impacts

• Refrigeration, including air conditioning, will be one of the main drivers of rising energy demand among East African consumers.
• Increased uptake of energy-efficient appliances may boost energy access but this may be diluted by dumping of second-hand goods in Africa.
• Regional governments’ efforts to develop hydrocarbons resources will continue to be frustrated by rising climate activism.