The incredible ‘electric highway’ in Africa stretching across three countries | World | News
Africa is expected to see a huge investment in green energy as it looks to grow its economy.
Renewable energy is expected to account for 65% of installed capacity on the continent by 2035 and 95% by 2050.
Solar and wind power will be the main sources of green energy, followed by hydropower.
By leveraging renewable sources, African nations diversify their energy mix, reducing dependence on fossil fuels and enhancing energy security.
This shift towards renewable energy is creating new opportunities for investment, innovation, and job creation, driving economic growth across sectors.
Projects are already underway to turn Africa into a leading powerhouse of renewable and clean energy.
One such scheme is the East Africa Electric Highway, which connects Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania.
The first part of the green power line was opened in 2023 after more than ten years of planning and construction.
The section connected Wolayta-Sodo in Ethiopia and Suswa in Kenya, covering a distance of 1,045 kilometres (649 miles).
Construction costs for the first phase totaled USD 1.26 billion (£992m) and were partly funded by USD 338 million (£266m) from the African Development Bank.
The power network relies on hydroelectric dams in Ethiopia, which produce energy in the form of alternating current, which is transported via the national grid to the converter station in Sodo.
It is converted to Direct Current (DC) and leaves Ethiopia for Kenya.
Once it arrives at the Suswa converter station, it is changed back to alternating current before being integrated into the Kenyan power grid.
One of the project’s distinguishing features is its use of HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) technology, which makes it much easier to transport electricity over long distances.
This high-voltage DC infrastructure is the only one of its kind in the region and is the foundation of East Africa’s ambition to be interconnected in terms of power exchange and allow cross-border energy trade.
The electricity highway was recently extended from Kenya to Tanzania, and the new section is now undergoing testing.
