A Clean Energy Vision for East Africa: Planning for Sustainability,Reducing Climate Risks and Increasing Energy Access
University of California
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Abstract: East Africa is now the fastest-growing economic zone in sub-Saharan Africa,and among the economically growing regions in the world. The U.S. Department of Commerce (2010) and the McKinsey Global Institute (2012) both predict that the region may experience economic growth of 5-7% per year. This dramatic growth will place new obstacles on a region already facing problems with infrastructure challenges. The growing demand for energy,as well as new fossil fuel and renewable energy discoveries in East Africa,document the critical moment that exists today to chart a course of sustainable,or unsustainable regional growth and resource management. In this report,we examine the mix of resources currently in use,and discuss that which is available to supply energy in the region. We also review the energy planning being done by the East African Power Pool (EAPP) in light of this green-growth model,and make recommendations for its improvement. The EAPP is particularly important because it will likely both drive investment,and shape the on-grid and off-grid investments in the region for years to come. At the same time,it is a critically important tool through which sound regional planning around energy resources,risks,and both climate and demand impacts that are vital to the future of development in the region