- Ghana, Kenya and Rwanda are foremost in power grid upgrades in Africa.
- The IEA report highlighted a regional disparity in Africa’s electricity infrastructure.
In the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) October 2023 report on Electricity Grids and Secure Energy Transitions, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda were highlighted as leading the way in Africa when it comes to upgrading and expanding their power grids.
The report highlighted a significant regional disparity in the status of electricity infrastructure across Africa, with notable advancements in grid modernization seen in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda.
However, some nations still grapple with substantial challenges in developing and sustaining their power grids due to issues like limited financial resources, regulatory hurdles, and, in certain cases, political instability.
Despite concerted efforts to enhance electricity access, addressing these challenges is paramount for ensuring reliable and accessible electricity throughout the region. The International Energy Agency (IEA) report underscores the ageing infrastructure in advanced economies, with some elements in operation for 50 years or more.
While the initial electrification efforts led to the creation of these older systems, there is now a pressing need to modernize them for improved efficiency, reliability, and integration of new energy resources. Notably, only about 23% of grid infrastructure in advanced economies is less than a decade old, while over 50% is over 20 years old.
In contrast, emerging and developing economies (EMDEs) have relatively newer power grid systems that were established more recently to meet the growing demand for electricity. Approximately 40% of their grid infrastructure is less than 10 years old, with less than 38% over 20 years old.
Nigeria’s grid challenges
In 2023, Nigeria’s national power grid struggled to cope, managing only 4,886.40 megawatts (MW), according to data from the Nigeria Electricity Systems Operator. On February 4, 2024, the country experienced its first power grid collapse for the year, plunging the entire nation into darkness.
Around 11:51 a.m., power generation on the grid drastically dropped from about 3,852 MW at 6 a.m. to a mere 59 MW at noon on Sunday. Although there was a gradual recovery, reaching 736 MW at 5 p.m., numerous parts of Nigeria, including the capital, Abuja, remained without power.
Notably, the collapsed grid managed by the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) had 20 power plants completely offline, with only Ibom Power online.
Despite Nigeria’s population exceeding 200 million, the country relies on less than 5,000 megawatts to power homes and businesses daily. The stark contrast emerges as individuals resort to self-generating over 40,000 megawatts, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive improvements in the nation’s power infrastructure.