www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I May 2024 5
International News
HOW WEST AFRICA IS BUILDING
RESILIENCE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
Contributed by Obinna Uche , sales director , power systems division at Schneider Electric Anglophone West Africa
According to the report Climate Change and Security in West Africa published by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ( SIPRI ), changing climate conditions in West Africa are impacting natural resource availability , biodiversity and agricultural productivity .
The report projects that the region will experience unprecedented changes in temperatures and rainfall in the next 10 – 20 years .
Already , West Africa is experiencing an alarming rise in temperatures , with some areas recording highs of 42 – 43 ° C . This surge in temperature is accompanied by prolonged droughts , which can pose significant challenges to those countries that rely on hydropower generation as part of their energy posture , for example .
Unfortunately , this vulnerability extends beyond power generation , as many Western African countries ’ power infrastructures simply don ’ t have the resilience against extreme weather conditions such as storms , due to their aged and compromised infrastructure .
During rainy seasons , Nigeria often ( pre-emptively ) shuts down its grid operations to prevent any additional damage to its already fragile infrastructure . Again , this re-emphasises the urgent need for infrastructural development in the region .
ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY The good news is West Africa is proactively responding to climate challenges by implementing renewable energy solutions . Investments in renewable energy are gaining momentum , supported by substantial funding . USAID , for example , is supporting the third cycle of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS ) EREF ( ECOWAS Renewable Energy Fund ) programme , which was launched in 2019 and is currently being implemented in six West African countries .
The programme catalyses investment in energy by facilitating access to finance for renewable energy projects , with a specific focus on clean energy mini grids ( CEMGs ). This surge in investment aligns with the region ' s commitment to reducing the carbon footprint and promoting climate sustainability .
The continued integration of wind and solar energy also serves as a stabilising force , particularly in times when hydropower generation is compromised by fluctuating and extreme weather
Supplied by Schneider Electric
Many Western African countries ’ power infrastructures simply don ’ t have the resilience against extreme weather conditions .
patterns . Gas engines and turbines are also seeing increased uptake , providing consistent energy supply during the rainy season , which impacts solar supply .
EMERGING ROLEPLAYERS There is growing interest in green hydrogen as a potential solution . While not yet widely adopted , the exploration of green hydrogen technologies demonstrates a commitment to innovative solutions aligned with long-term sustainability goals .
As a global energy management company , Schneider Electric is also assisting the region in its strides to establish a sustainable , more resilient energy infrastructure . For one , our goal is to ensure that energy capacity is optimally utilised , from generation to distribution to end user .
This includes providing intelligent monitoring solutions that contribute towards efficient power management and distribution , ultimately leading to cost savings as well as increased investor confidence .
While West Africa still has numerous obstacles to overcome , it is undoubtedly encouraging to experience the region ’ s commitment to sustainability – which speaks volumes of its resilience and the proactive steps it is taking to striking a balance between climate change and stable energy provision . RACA
www . refrigerationandaircon . co . za RACA Journal I May 2024 5