The African Energy Paradox: From Access Gaps to Smart Grids

In a recent episode of the Energy Situation Room podcast, hosted by Terence Mentor and presented by Wärtsilä Energy, Marc Thiriet, Director of Wärtsilä Energy Business Africa, shared his insights on the complex energy landscape across the African continent. 

A Continent of Contrasts 

Thiriet described Africa as a region of immense variety, facing energy challenges that are both broad and complex. Drawing from his experience from engaging with industry leaders and policymakers, Thiriet emphasised that the continent’s energy situation demands sophisticated solutions rather than simple fixes.  

The Unavoidable Access Hurdle 

One of the most pressing issues highlighted during the interview was access to electricity. Thiriet pointed out that approximately 40% of Africa’s population, around 600 million people, still lack access to electricity. While North and South Africa have near-universal access, many Central African countries lag behind, with access rates closer to 30%. Even in regions with high access, reliability remains a challenge, with frequent outages forcing reliance on expensive and polluting self-generation methods.  

The Need for Baseload Power and Grid Reinforcement 

Thiriet stressed the urgent need for both baseload power and grid reinforcement to ensure reliable electricity distribution. He argued that simply connecting people to the grid is not enough if the supply is inconsistent and unreliable.  

Balancing Access and Decarbonisation 

A key theme of the discussion was the perceived trade-off between expanding access and pursuing decarbonisation. Thiriet challenged the notion that these are mutually exclusive goals, instead advocating for a hybrid approach. He noted that renewable energy is now the most cost-effective option in Africa, thanks to the continent’s abundant solar resources. Many countries are setting ambitious targets for renewable integration, aiming for 40–50% by 2030. However, integrating such high levels of renewables brings its own challenges, particularly around intermittency, which must be addressed through flexible power solutions like engine-based plants. 

Industry as a Driver and the Opportunity for Smart Grids 

The conversation also touched on the role of industry in driving decarbonisation. Thiriet observed that industrial customers are already adopting hybrid microgrids that combine thermal, solar, and wind power to ensure reliable and low-carbon energy in remote locations. He suggested that Africa has a unique opportunity to leapfrog outdated, inflexible systems and develop smart grids with flexible capacity from the outset. [Marc Linke...to Podcast] 

Signs of Progress and Alignment