Ground Shifts For Thermal Energy In Africa

NEIL FORD

NATURAL gas and coal-fired generating capacity continues to play an important role in Africa’s power mix, but the ground is starting to shift in the face of the ongoing rise of renewables. Coal in particular may be facing a challenge, at least in terms of its share of feedstock, with large scale coal-fired plants being shelved.

Gas in contrast should have a continued role to play, even if Covid-19 related issues could stymie project progress over the next year. Gas’s chief selling point – as a transition fuel that can help countries meet ambitious carbon-reduction targets – remains in play, even if the oil and gas industry’s problems may force changes to project scope and scheduling.

Coal gives way to gas in North Africa

There’s a distinct feeling of the calm after the storm in the North African thermal generating sector. In 2018, Siemens completed the world’s three