Demand for electricity in Africa is expected to more than triple by the year 2040, due to a variety of factors such as rapid industrialisation, migration to cities, rising household incomes, and effects of climate change. This will require a concerted effort to plan and coordinate power generation and transmission infrastructure on a continental scale. Besides, the creation of the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) - one of the largest electricity markets in the world, covering a population of more than 1.3 billion – requires physical interconnection of Africa’s continental energy infrastructure.
This is why, in 2019, African energy ministers tasked the African Union Development Agency to lead the development of this interconnection – under a Continental Master Plan (CMP) for electricity generation and transmission.
The CMP aims to curb the electricity deficit and allow a well-balanced sharing of affordable, reliable and clean energy resources. It brings together over 100 African stakeholders to rethink Africa’s energy planning and co-create solutions to tackle energy poverty.
The CMP is the masterplan for Africa’s Green Vision, creating one grid for one continent. It is implemented by AUDA-NEPAD, supported by the European Union - Global Technical Assistance Facility (EU-GTAF), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The African Union (AU) envisions the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) as a continent-wide interconnected power system serving 1.3 billion people across 55 countries, potentially becoming the largest electricity market globally. This interconnected system offers significant technical and economic opportunities, fostering development and energy access while addressing modern power system challenges such as integrating renewable energy sources, climate change mitigation, and digitalization.
Progress towards realizing the AfSEM vision includes the development of a Continental Power System Masterplan (CMP), which aims to create a framework for countries to trade electricity, leveraging national and regional surpluses and deficits through cross-border power exchanges. The CMP, guided by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) and ministerial committees, facilitates optimized decision-making for generation and transmission infrastructure investments, aiding in the harmonization of project planning across the continent.
The CMP development occurs in two phases under AUDA-NEPAD's governance, with completion targeted by the end of 2023. It aligns with initiatives like the AfDB’s new deal for energy and clean energy corridor concepts, emphasizing the importance of regional cooperation and infrastructure development in achieving Africa's energy goals. Through coordinated efforts, the CMP seeks to advance energy integration, resilience, and sustainability across the continent. The following document explores the potential, obstacles and development levers of pumped storage systems at a continental scale.
More info : The African Continental Master Plan | AUDA-NEPAD
Discover below the different studies provided by African Union Development Agency - NEPAD:
Download the Pumped Storage Hydropower (PSP) Report
This study focuses on the findings of the pumped storage hydropower (PSP) SSS which was developed with support from the European Union Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) for Sustainable Energy. It provides an overview of the identified resource potential, opportunities, barriers or challenges and recommendations to achieve an optimal contribution to the CMP.
Download the Geothermal Power Plants (GPP) Report
This study focuses on the findings of the geothermal power SSS which was developed with support from the European Union Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) for Sustainable Energy. It provides an overview of the identified resource potential, opportunities, barriers or challenges and recommendations to achieve an optimal contribution to the CMP.
Download the Battery Storage System Report
This report provides an overview of the specific support study for battery energy storage systems (BESS) that was developed with support from USAID Power Africa. It considers the potential contribution from BESS to the power system, as well as opportunities, barriers or challenges and recommendations to achieve an optimal contribution to the continental power system.
Download the Green Hydrogen Report
This study focuses on the findings of the green hydrogen power SSS which was developed with support from the European Union Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) for Sustainable Energy. It provides an overview of the identified resource potential, opportunities, barriers or challenges and recommendations to achieve an optimal contribution to the CMP.
Download the Wind Power Report
This study, which was developed with support from the European Union Global Technical Assistance Facility (EU-TAF) for Sustainable Energy, focuses on the findings of the wind power SSS, providing an overview of the identified resource potential, opportunities, barriers or challenges and recommendations to achieve an optimal contribution to the CMP.
Download the Solar Power Report
This study, which was supported by GET.transform, focuses on the findings of the solar SSS, providing an overview of the identified resource potential, opportunities, barriers or challenges and recommendations to achieve an optimal contribution to the CMP.
