Status of Wind in Africa’ study provides an inventory of the wind energy industry and a prognosis of the continent's wind energy pipeline.

The Global Wind Energy Council’s (GWEC) Africa WindPower programme released its inaugural ‘Status of Wind in Africa’ study, today. The report provides an inventory of the wind energy industry and a prognosis of the continent's wind energy pipeline.

The GWEC report lays the groundwork for policy discussions and project development, which, the council hopes, will propel the region's wind energy industry’s growth for the remainder of the decade.

The GWEC is a membership-based association, which represents the wind energy sector, and represents over 1,500 enterprises, organisations, and institutions from more than 80 countries.

The new study, according to GWEC, details the benefits of wind energy development across the continent, including case studies on job creation, grid stabilisation, and the expansion of complementing technologies, such as hydropower and solar. It also investigates Africa's position for ongoing wind energy growth through regional power pool expansion, green hydrogen production, and e-mobility.

GWEC says that Africa is well on the journey of renewable energy production, and the report cites 83 wind farms that have been erected across Africa, totalling 9 GW of clean energy.

This report comes as many African countries, including South Africa, are experiencing power cuts and the situation has prompted the pleas from various leaders for the country to urgently diversify sources of electricity to include an increased uptake of renewable energy.

GWEC says the groundwork is in place for a rapid expansion of wind energy capacity, as current anticipated capacity represents only 0.2% of the continent's total technological potential capacity of 33,642 GW.

"This report sends a clear message: Africa is moving forward with the energy transition, and a collaborative approach by all stakeholders is required to clear the pathway," said Wangari Muchiri, director of GWEC.

The 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, will be held from November 30 until December 12, 2023, in Dubai.

“Following the Africa Climate Summit, leaders from throughout Africa and around the world must ensure that this year's COP28 in Dubai is the moment they rise to the challenge and help Africa become a renewable energy superpower by achieving the Nairobi Declaration targets," said Muchiri.