15 February 2012: An op-ed piece by leaders of global multilateral institutions, entitled “Lighting the Dark Continent,” notes that although Africa is lagging behind the world in its electrification rates, the continent may benefit from the “jump start” provided by the 2012 International Year of Sustainable Energy for All by taking advantage of Africa’s vast renewable energy potential.

Authored by Adnan Amin, Director General, International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), Achim Steiner, Executive Director, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and Kandeh Yumkella, Director General, UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the piece highlights innovative financing mechanisms and falling costs that will allow the continent to make use of renewable energy sources. Noting that only 5% of the region’s hydropower resources have been used, they call for increased action to encourage the use of the 10,000 Gigawatts of potential solar energy and the 1,000 Gigawatts of potential wind energy in Africa. The piece also notes that these sources can be used effectively in rural areas via decentralized grids, enabling opportunities for rural communities, specifically market opportunities for farmers in isolated areas.

The article indicates that, for these ideas to be successful, well-designed, properly communicated policies need to be implemented, citing the role of the public sector and banks in ensuring this potential is taken advantage of. The authors note that they are particularly important for overcoming the barriers that exist in renewable energy deployment on the continent. [Lighting the Dark Continent Op-Ed]