3 July 2014: A study evaluating the effects of the implementation of renewable energy feed-in tariffs in Africa by the World Future Council, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and Friends of the Earth, has been translated into French. Through surveys in several African countries, the study demonstrates that many feed-in tariff design principles are applicable to the region, and draws lessons for countries interested in developing their own feed-in tariffs.
The report, titled ‘Alimenter l’Afrique en Electricité Grâce à des Tarifs d’Achat Garantis: Promouvoir les Energies Renouvelables pour Satisfaire les Besoins en Energie Electrique du Continent,’ has been translated from an English-language version, published in 2013, with the title ‘Powering Africa Through Feed-In Tariffs: Advancing Renewable Energy to Meet the Continent’s Electricity Needs.’ The publication discusses the general principles of design for renewable energy feed-in tariffs (REFiT), and presents case studies from seven African countries described as pioneers of REFiT policies, and six countries in the region where these are in development.
General lessons for African countries include the importance of: high-level and stakeholder support; broad stakeholder coalitions; integration of REFiT policies in wider development strategies, including through: the creation of strong national value chains; balancing of REFiT policies between overall objectives and incentives for investment; and clarity among policymakers on REFiT goals.
The study also highlights that the higher up-front investment costs but lower price of renewables in the long term should be taken into account in tariff development, and calls for social transfer mechanisms where REFiT policy costs are borne by end consumers.
The report also recommends centralized licensing and standardized contracts for reduced costs, and providing credible guarantees for power purchasing agreements under a REFiT, including through international donors and climate finance instruments. [WFC Blog Post (in French)] [Publication: Alimenter l’Afrique en Electricité Grâce à des Tarifs d’Achat Garantis] [Publication: Powering Africa Through Feed-In Tariffs]