Energy Boom in Africa: 2024 Marks a Breakthrough Year for Energy Storage
Africa Experiences Breakthrough Growth in the Energy Storage Sector
According to the latest report, Africa Solar Outlook 2025, published by the Africa Solar Industry Association (AFSIA), 2024 saw a tenfold increase in installed energy storage capacity across the continent.
Record Growth in the Energy Storage Sector
Until 2022, Africa’s annual energy storage capacity remained around 50 MWh. In 2023, it tripled to 150 MWh, and by 2024, it skyrocketed to 1,641 MWh—marking a year-over-year growth of 1,045%. One of the key projects driving these impressive figures was the Kenhardt 1-2-3 complex in South Africa, developed by Norwegian company Scatec. This installation features 540 MW of solar panels and 1,140 MWh of energy storage capacity.
Key Growth Drivers
AFSIA highlights two critical factors behind the surge in energy storage development in 2024:
Declining Storage Technology Costs: According to BloombergNEF, the cost of lithium-ion storage systems fell by 20% in 2024, following a 13% drop in 2023.
Energy Supply Challenges in South Africa: The launch of the Battery Energy Storage IPP Procurement Program (BESIPPPP) in 2023 significantly boosted the energy storage market, with projects totaling 2,052 MWh in capacity.
Rapid Growth in the Solar PV Market
The AFSIA report also highlights continued growth in the solar PV sector. In 2024, Africa installed 2.5 GW of new PV capacity, reaching a total of 19.2 GW. South Africa led the market with 1.2 GW of new installations, followed by Egypt (707 MW), Zambia (74.8 MW), Nigeria (63.5 MW), and Angola (53.8 MW).
The Future of African Energy
Despite the record growth, Africa’s share of global PV installations in 2024 was only 0.5%—the lowest since 2013. AFSIA emphasizes that the continent’s potential is significantly greater, with urgent needs for new energy sources. The outlook remains promising: in 2024, new projects totaling 40 GW were proposed, a 21% increase compared to 2023.
Africa’s renewable energy sector is entering a new era, with energy storage becoming a critical component of the continent’s energy transition. According to the AFSIA report, the coming years could bring further records and solidify Africa’s position on the global renewable energy map.
Source: ess-news.com