Tech

Experts identify what’s getting in the way


by James Njuguna, Nanimpo Leontine Kansongue and Stephen Vertigans,

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Credit: Public Domain Pixabay / CC0

Togo is one of the poorest countries in the world, with a gross domestic product per capita of US$644. Most of the population lives on subsistence agriculture. End 56% live in rural areas and many are in basic need service such as healthcare, education and safe drinking water.

One of the key resources for the development of these basic services and the economy is electricity. Just under half of Togo’s 8 million people without electricity, especially in countryside. Access increased in Togo from 17% in 2000 to 53% in 2020. This number is higher than the number (43%) for all low-income countries but long way to go.

Small West African country plans to achieve universal access to electricity by 2030.

Its main challenges are capacity, technology and expertise for the generation. To meet demand, Togo must import most of its energy from Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire and Nigeria.

Main of the country energy sources is biomass. About 76% comes from wood, coal and vegetable waste. Petroleum products account for just over a quarter energy needswhile electricity from thermoelectricity, hydroelectricity and solar energy accounted for 4%.

This dependence on biomass is a big problem because it is polluting and inefficient. It can create health problems and environmental damagerespectively negative for the economy.

Have evidence that clean renewable energy—Palace, wind and hydroelectricity — can help support economic growth in African countries.

Our own research examined the potential of solar photovoltaics and small-scale hydroelectricity in Togo. We find that increasing the share of renewable energy through accelerated access to these sources is the most likely route for electrification in Togo.

The study calls for more private sector involvement in the energy sector. The current monopoly status is a major constraint on private investment. The lack of a trained workforce also holds back growth and needs to be addressed. We recommend setting up local manufacturing plants to produce solar system components.

Our findings can help make decisions about the most appropriate renewable energy sources and technologies for the country. This could improve economic growth and strengthen Togo’s energy mix, reducing dependence on biomass.

Challenges

The energy system in many countries, including Togo, is a balance between centrally generated energy on a large scale and energy generated on a smaller scale near where it is used. Balance two sources for more stable and reliable power supply.

Concentrated facilities are great for meeting energy needs in densely populated areas where it is economically feasible to build transmission and distribution infrastructure. Distributed generation refers to many types of technologies such as Solar power panels can serve a single structure such as a home or business, or be part of a microgrid.

We asked a range of stakeholders for their views on renewable energy development as part of a balanced system in Togo. Respondents include policy makers, academic institutions, financial institutions, NGOs and private companies.

Most of them indicated that there is considerable potential in renewable energy, mainly solar (70% of respondents) and hydroelectricity (80%). Togo’s wind energy potential is not high.

However, our research also identifies some challenges with renewable energy.

For example, the Togolese government needs to determine the potential for electricity generation from different renewable energy sources. The head of a renewable energy research center said:

“It takes a real map of the potential based on different regions to know what kind of renewable energy to install.”

Other challenges include:

  • need for external funding to establish the network
  • ensure sustainability of projects through integrated management provided by authorized operator, Compagnie Energie Electrique du Togo
  • the need for regulations such as power purchase agreements and standardized tariffs
  • tax incentives that benefit companies with a public interest, not private entities
  • barriers to private investment.

We find that a monopoly in the energy sector is a deterrent to private investment. The state electricity company is the only entity that can market the generated electricity. There is no competition in the electricity market that can lower the price per unit of electricity.

Solutions

Our findings suggest that the most likely route to electrification is to increase the share of renewable energy through accelerated access to solar power and small-scale hydropower by private or private companies. provided by public private partners.

A more diverse mix of energy sources, including renewables, will improve accessibility and reliability, while boosting agriculture and small business.

For example, a solar-powered crop processing unit could help farmers grow, process and store more produce at all seasons of the year. In addition, electricity enables and improves the delivery of social and business services, such as schools, markets and water pumps.

Our research identifies the research need to develop the best renewable energy sources for each site.

Workforce awareness and training are also needed to help plan and develop renewable energy.

Ultimately, Togo needs government commitment to achieve its sustainability goals provide energyin the form of financial resources and steps to release energy field and attract investors.

A competitive market will lower electricity prices. Looking at the abundance of renewable energy resources in Togo and the financial constraints of the country, the government needs to cooperate more with the private sector.

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This article was republished from Conversation under Creative Commons license. Read original article.Conversation

Quote: Renewable energy can help Togo achieve its goals: Experts identify what’s standing in the way (2022, 4 November) retrieved 4 November 2022 from https://techxplore .com/news/2022-11-renewable-energy-togo-goals-experts .html

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