African countries are moving ahead with exploiting their abundant renewable energy resources by establishing ambitious penetration targets over the next decade, with a view to attaining energy security, access and decarbonization.
Regional leaders like Morocco, Kenya and Mauritania have successfully integrated renewables targets into their national energy plans, leveraging clean energy policies and investment frameworks to support project deployment. The most ambitious renewables targets in Africa by 2030 include:
Kenya – 100% renewable energy target by 2030
Having set a target to generate 100% of total electricity from renewables by 2030 – and to deploy an additional 100 GW of renewable capacity by 2040 – Kenya serves as one of Africa’s leading clean energy hubs. Having increased energy access from below 30% in 2013 to over 75% in 2020 – and already generating 73% of total electricity from renewables – frameworks such as the Energy Law 2019 and Finance Act 2021 are expected to further drive investments in Kenya’s renewables installations and move the country towards its energy access and sustainability targets.
Mozambique – 62% renewables target by 2030
With the southern African country’s hydropower potential remaining untapped, the Mozambican Government plans to maximize the resource’s full potential, while simultaneously accelerating the deployment of solar and wind. This will not only enable Mozambique to achieve its 62% renewables target by 2030, but also help enhance energy access and resource monetization across the southern African region, where unmet energy demand remains high.
Rwanda – 60% renewables target by 2030
By leveraging policies such as its Energy Sector Strategic Plan 2018-2024 and Least Cost Power Development Plan, Rwanda is targeting an increase in the share of renewables in its energy mix from 53% in 2022 to 60% by 2030. Seeking to exploit its solar and hydropower potential in particular, financing mechanisms such as the Renewable Energy Fund – which is managed by the Rwanda Development Bank – and the PSP Hydro project – which aims to increase private sector participation in the hydropower industry – will play a crucial role in driving renewable penetration.
Morocco – 52% renewables target by 2030
On the back of recent solar and wind energy expansion, the government of Morocco is aiming to have 52% of its total electricity generation derived from renewables by 2030. Having increased renewable capacity from 3.9 GW in 2020 to 4.3 GW in 2021, massive wind, solar and hydrogen projects are already underway, including its first industrial-scale green hydrogen project set to start operations by 2025. Policies such as the Morocco Renewable Energy Target 2030 will also drive further renewable energy development for the north African country.
Mauritania – 50% renewables target by 2030
With 54% of the country’s population connected to the national grid, a target has been set by the government of Mauritania to have renewables account for 50% of the energy mix by 2030, which will play a crucial role in decarbonizing the country’s power network and enhancing electrification rates. Mauritania’s strategic location and climate positions the country as an enormous potential producer of solar and wind energy, supported by projects such as the Aman Green Hydrogen, Nour Green Hydrogen, Toujounine Solar, Klima Solar and Boulenouar Wind Energy developments currently underway.
