Promotion of Climate Smart Rice in Africahttps://africanclimateactionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/IMG_1577-scaled-e1732620151870.jpg25601284JamieJamiehttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6dd40c3d28dbada9c4d7e54c0368e5a2?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Promoting Climate Smart Rice Cultivation in Africa
From July 29-31, 2024, the African Climate Action Partnership held a workshop titled “Promoting Climate Smart Rice Cultivation in Africa” gathering rice experts from the Anglophone regions of Africa.
The workshop focused on sharing knowledge about integrating climate-resilient and yield-enhancing rice technologies into policies aimed at reducing GHG emissions. Discussions included exploring the challenges and opportunities in the implementation of climate-smart rice practices, technologies and tools that reduce methane emissions, while increasing resilience to climate change, grain yield and farmers’ income and; identifying mechanisms through which climate-smart practices, technologies and tools can be incorporated into supportive policies and policy development.
Analysing the potential to unlock Energy-Agriculture Synergieshttps://africanclimateactionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/GGE-EA-Webinar-1-Cover-Page-1.png69123456JamieJamiehttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6dd40c3d28dbada9c4d7e54c0368e5a2?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Webinar 1: Analysing the potential to unlock Energy-Agriculture synergies
On the 1st of July 2024 the African Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) and the African association for Rural Electrification (CLUB-ER) under the Growing Government Engagement in Energy Access (GGE-EA) project launched a new webinar series. The three-part webinar series entitled Techno-Economic and Business Model Foundation on Productive use of Energy and Mini-grids in Africa will unpack how productive use of energy (PUE) can be utilised beyond its basic household needs to empower agricultural use and support business, the agribusiness sector, on a larger scale.
The webinar series kicked-off with the first webinar on “Analysing the potential to unlock Energy-Agriculture Synergies“. It began with an introduction to the GGEEA project, outlining the work being done in the renewable energy space. In addition, an overview of analytic approaches to assess the potential for renewable energy potential and agricultural value chains was given. The webinar drew on the tools and methodology of the Clean and Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Landscapes (CTSL) project, as well as, analytic approach and tools delivered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). During the webinar we explored the geo-spatial modelling to map PUE potentials for agricultural development.
To view the recording of the webinar and presentations please use the links down below.
Following the webinar, NREL shared some examples of University Partnerships of demonstration farms. These are mostly focused on production and farming, but many are also starting to pilot electricity technologies for learning for educational purposes and research for the sector. NREL frequently collaborates with University partners to set up these types of projects.
Examples of University partnerships for demonstration farms shared by NREL:
Strengthening Malawi’s National Response to Climate Smart Livestock Workshophttps://africanclimateactionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Picture-1-e1708602008873.jpg2416757JamieJamiehttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6dd40c3d28dbada9c4d7e54c0368e5a2?s=96&d=mm&r=g
Strengthening Malawi’s National Response to Climate Smart Livestock Workshop
From the 20th – 21st of November 2023, AfCAP hosted its first Technical Support Livestock Peer Exchange Visit in Salima, Malawi. This workshop aimed to support Malawi in developing and improving its livestock Tier 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventories, raising awareness on GHG emissions within the livestock sector and, enhancing the incorporation of livestock GHG MRVs and mitigation options into the National Climate Policies and implementation plans. Five experts, from Kenya and Zimbabwe, attended this peer exchange visit offering their technical expertise and support. These experts shared their experiences on their country’s development of the Livestock Tier 2 GHG inventories and the faps identified during the process.
Photo: AfCAP Secretariat with experts and Malawi delegates
This workshop was crucial in supporting Malawi in increasing awareness within Malawi’s livestock sector on the importance of using advanced GHG emission inventory methods and thus empowering the sector to meaningfully engage and contribute to national climate actions. The workshop provided an opportunity to help Malawi’s livestock sector to identify a pathway for support to assist Malawi to expand use of advanced GHG inventory methods of Tier 2 beyond the cattle species.
The first day of the peer exchange visit began with an overview of the global context of climate change and livestock which was followed by presentations on Malawi’s climate goals, livestock sector, Malawi and Kenya’s approach to the development of Tier 2 inventories. The second day kicked off with welcoming remarks from Malawi’s Director for Animal Health and Livestock Development (AHLD), Dr. Julius Chulu. Following the welcoming remarks, experts from Zimbabwe and Kenya presented their country experiences. The workshop concluded with afternoon breakout sessions on Malawi’s lessons learnt, challenges and opportunities in the development of its’ Tier 2 inventories.
Photo:Expert Bernard Kimoro, State Department for Livestock Development (MOALD), Kenya, with Malawi delegates during a breakout session
Photo: Expert Grace Tambo, Department of Livestock Research, Zimbabwe, with Malawi delegates during a breakout session
The various stakeholders had expressed the usefulness of this workshop as it aided in building capacity of these stakeholders. The workshop raised awareness among the various stakeholders. Both Malawian stakeholders and experts from Zimbabwe and Kenya felt that learning had happened both ways during this workshop. Overall, the workshop was an extremely useful opportunity to raise awareness and increase Malawi’s understanding around the issues related to GHG emissions in the livestock sector.
Attached below is the outcome report developed from the Malawi workshop for further insights into what was discussed during the workshop.
WEBINAR: Techno-Economic Analysis of PUE Minigrids in Africahttps://africanclimateactionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Screenshot-2022-05-26-at-08.59.35-2.png1211685aflpaflphttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/464c5d1932d38a8c7908028ed233271b?s=96&d=mm&r=g
On 22 February, the AMG-CoP in partnership with the National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) hosted a webinar on Techno Economic Analysis of PUE Minigrids in Africa. This webinar was the second in a series of regional learning events focused on analysis of opportunities for agricultural productive uses of energy in minigrids. This first session, held on December 14, 2021, introduced the overall context and background of the project and outlined the overall approach and methodology to estimate annual electric load profiles for key agricultural applications. This second session focused on techno-economic analysis of potential RE microgrids with PUE loads and associated levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) using the REopt microgrid optimization tool.
Project Background and Objectives
Use of advanced energy technologies for agricultural production has multiple benefits including: 1) Intensifying production and reducing land-use pressure on related deforestation and biodiversity loss; 2) Strengthening agricultural income and employment in rural areas and allowing for more production near the home, which has particular value to women; 3) Enabling production of high nutrition and high value crops which tend to require more processing and irrigation supported by distributed renewable power; 4) Improving access to reliable energy sources to support irrigation and other productive uses such as cold storage or transportation of food; 5) Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) and other air pollutant emissions and their resulting impacts on the community and environment; and 6) Beneficial use of food waste products for energy generation.
Within this context, the U.S. Department of State is supporting the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to implement the Clean and Advanced Technologies for Sustainable Landscapes (CTSL) Program in Africa and Southeast Asia. This program seeks to:
Increase access to advanced, clean, reliable, and affordable energy sources to improve agricultural productivity, food and water security, and enable resilience
Accelerate progress toward development and economic growth and stability goals
Increase in-country technical and analytical capacity to support transition to self-reliance
For the last size months this program has been providing technical assistance to three countries in Africa—Zambia, Kenya and Mozambique—to develop methodologies and approaches to assess opportunities for agricultural productive uses of energy to help improve viability of clean energy minigrids. The CTSL is now excited to partner with the Africa LEDS Partnership to odder regional peer learning on this project and the methodologies being developed to a broader network of interested country stakeholders.
AfLP Officially Launches Livestock Community of Practicehttps://africanclimateactionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/LIVESTOCK-COMMUNITY-OF-PRACTICE.png1500500aflpaflphttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/464c5d1932d38a8c7908028ed233271b?s=96&d=mm&r=g
In March 2022, The Africa LEDS Partnership (AfLP) officially launched a new Community of Practice on Livestock (Livestock CoP). The event was attended by a range of stakeholders across the African continent. During the event the AfLP, and the Livestock CoP core group members provided an overview of the Livestock CoP’s goals. The event was also an opportunity for participants to express their needs and desires and identify opportunities to work with the CoP.
During the event, AfLP Co-chair, Dr George Wamukoya (African Group of Negiotators Experts Support/AGNES) encouraged participants to participate actively and key areas that Africa should focus on. Wamukoya expressed his desire to see the Livestock building African expertise and delivering region-specific interventions to support the livestock sectors of countries across the continent.
A key issue raised during the event was the need for Africa’s response to climate change to be informed by the continent’s context. A key element which is particularly important for policy development within the livestock sector is the consideration for mitigation and adaptation co-benefits. This is important to reduce the climate vulnerability while ensuring the sector can improve food production to meet growing demands. However, it was also noted that there is a need for on-the-ground intervention to support paradigm shifts in the livestock sector in support of more sustainable livestock practices.
Going forward, it was suggested that the Livestock CoP focus on key priority areas to deliver real impact. Having strong links to the ground (through support of local NGOs and the private sector) and strong links to the policy level (through government entities) were seen as important to ensuring this happens. Stakeholders also suggested forming sub-regional CoPs which feed into a broader continent-wide CoP. This will help ensure the activities speak to regional needs while feeding into the broader goals of the CoP.
Next Steps for Livestock CoP:
Following the launch event, the secretariat and core group are in the process of developing a long-term workplan for the CoP. The core group will be meeting in July to workshop key activities and co-develop a proposal for funding support from key partners, New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC).
A key priority for the Livestock CoP in the coming months will be setting up regional forums, aimed to bring together stakeholders on the regional level to identify priorities and opportunities for implementation.
If you would like to join the AfLP Livestock CoP you can do so by completing the form below.
Opportunities Abound for the Government of Malawi to Attract Investment in RE+Storage Projectshttps://africanclimateactionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/image-1024x512-1.png1024512KMKMhttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/9ab479da6ffcefccdbafa8f9dc6d061b?s=96&d=mm&r=g
This blog post was written by Dr David Jacobs and Toby Couture, who supported the LEDS GP with this technical assistance.
The market for grid-scale battery storage technologies is booming worldwide with the growing awareness of the many benefits and services that batteries can provide.
Many government and utility officials around the world continue to think of battery storage simply as a form of storage that can be “filled up” and “drawn down” as needed in order to adjust to changing patterns of power demand. However, as experience with battery storage systems grows in markets ranging from California and South Australia to India and China, a more multi-faceted view of the role of grid-scale battery storage is emerging.
Battery storage systems can help make the outputs of solar and wind powerplants more predictable and reliable, whilst also providing a wide range of services to the grid, including frequency response, voltage control, and primary and secondary reserve (see figure below).
Moreover, battery storage can help reduce curtailment, providing benefits both to renewable energy (RE) producers, as well as to utilities (IRENA, 2019).
A flurry of recent auction results of solar+storage systems shows that the economics of combining renewable energy projects with storage (RE+storage) are now attractive in a growing number of countries around the world.
Recent auction results for RE+storage projects show unsubsidized prices for solar+storage in particular betweenUSD 4-8 cents/kWh, as seen in India’s recent auction for “round the clock” power supply (see Table below) (Gupta, 2021).
Jurisdiction (Year of entry-into-service)
Project Details
Price ($/kWh)
Contract length
India “Round-the-clock” auction(2021-22)
400MW firm capacity, including solar, wind, and storage
USD $0.04/kWh
25 years
Australia(2017; expanded in 2020)
Hornsdale Power Reserve: 315MW of wind power with 130MW/129MWh of battery storage
USD $0.055 – 0.066/kWh
10 years
Florida(late 2021)
Manatee Energy Storage Center: 409MW of solar PV + 900MWh of battery storage
N/A (utility-owned)
N/A (utility-owned)
Chile(2021 – 2023)
Engie Chile:1500MW of renewables with storage in time-differentiated blocks with solar+storage:
USD $0.024/kWh
40-year concession agreement
Portugal(2021-2022)
483MW of solar PV + storage
USD $0.04/kWh
15 years
Israel (2022)
168MW of solar PV + storage
USD $0.058/kWh
23 years
As the economics continue to improve, some jurisdictions with high and growing shares of variable RE, such as Hawaii, have even announced that all future procurements of solar photovoltaic (PV) energy will be combined with storage (Colthorpe, 2021). While this may not be feasible or necessary for jurisdictions like Malawi, it underscores the scale of the transformation that has taken place in the costs of RE+storage in recent years.
A recent analysis, prepared for the Government of Malawi as part of the support provided by the LEDS GP, provides an overview of the main uses for which the Government of Malawi can procure battery storage systems. The analysis focuses on five main functions, or use cases:
Reducing the curtailment of variable renewable energy (VRE) resources
Providing ancillary services
Deferring transmission and/or distribution grid investments
This analysis also highlights some of the key lessons in auction design from which countries like Malawi can draw in order to design and implement their own RE+storage auctions.
While auctions designed for battery storage share several features with regular RE auctions, there are certain aspects that need to be taken into consideration, including establishing clarity over what exactly is being auctioned, what level of availability the RE+storage installations need to provide, and whether any locational or other restrictions apply.
This brief report is intended to help governments like Malawi procure RE+storage projects in the coming years to help meet their overall energy access and climate-related objectives. This way, even relatively small countries with limited grid interconnections with their neighbouring countries can move towards high shares of renewables, thus paving the way for faster and more secure decarbonization of the electricity system in the coming decades.
Workshop Series: Strengthening the case for Mini-grids in Africahttps://africanclimateactionpartnership.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Solar-panel-.jpg1024576aflpaflphttps://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/464c5d1932d38a8c7908028ed233271b?s=96&d=mm&r=g
The LEDS GP is pleased to invite you to join the Africa LEDS Partnership virtual Workshop Series on “Strengthening the case for Mini-grids in Africa: Connecting the dots across rural electrification, climate resilience and sustainable development”.
This is part of a four session virtual workshop series to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing on African mini-grids.
16 April | 15:30 – 16:30 SAST/ 16:30 – 17:30 EAST Session 1: Introduction to the workshop and 2020 work programme (60 mins).
A private session for AMG-CoP members to catch up, introduce our general work programme (WP) for the year, discuss the current situation, our concept for the workshop, its shift to the virtual space and the planned programme. The AfLP used this opportunity to discuss and consult with members on the current Covid-19 pandemic, its impact on the AfLP work programme for 2020, as well as the emerging regional and country needs.
16 April | 16:40 – 17:30 SAST/ 17:40 – 18:30 EAST Session 2: Making energy access through mini-grids affordable: The role of governments and international climate finance (60 mins).
This session explored the current mini-grid climate finance landscape in Africa and how tapping into available climate finance can strengthen both rural electrification and climate action. We looked at the financing landscape assessment that has been developed by the Finance Working Group, and heard from selected AMG-CoP members, as well as a Climate Fund representative.
Facilitator Josh Ogada (SouthSouthNorth )
Speakers Alexia Kelly (Electric Capital) Alexander Obiechina (ACOB Lighting) Geoff Sinclair (CAMCO Clean Energy) Alexander Ochs (SD Strategies)
30 April | 15:30 – 17:00 SAST/ 16:30 – 18:00 EAST Session 3: Exploring the rural electrification – climate resilience – sustainable development nexus (90 mins).
This session assessed the role of mini-grids in the current NDCs of Sub-Saharan African governments and discussed how a stronger focus on mini-grid-based rural electrification can increase climate ambition while delivering multiple sustainable development co-benefits. The session also delved into the co-benefits of mini-grid-based rural electrification, we heard from NREL about the landscape assessment of mini-grids in NDCs, in addition to perspectives from the ground on the integration of electrification, sustainable development and climate action at project level.
Host Josh Ogada (SouthSouthNorth )
Speakers Alexander Ochs (SD Strategies) Franz Kottulinsky (Rift Valley) Ieva Indriunaite (SD Strategies) Dr Victor Osu (Rural Electrification Agency Nigeria)
7 May | 15:30 – 17:00 SAST/ 16:30 – 18:00 EAST Session 4: Exploring the rural electrification – climate resilience – sustainable development nexus (90 mins).
A private session for the AMG-CoP members to discuss their key take-aways from the virtual workshop and share experiences from their countries on how integrated rural electrification-climate-sustainable development planning can be put into practice. The session will conclude with a joint discussion on the next milestones for the CoP and a member survey of key topics of interest for their respective countries and regions.
This is a private session for AMG-CoP members only
Facilitator Josh Ogada (SouthSouthNorth )
Speakers Ieva Indriunaite (SD Strategies) Alexia Kelly (Electric Capital) Alexander Ochs (SD Strategies) Tim Reber (NREL) Additional Speakers and contributors TBC
AMG-CoP members: You will receive a separate invite for the closed Sessions. However please do register for the open sessions using the links provided above
About: The African Mini-Grid Community of Practice (AMG-CoP) – a collaborative network of 16 African country governments – has identified mini-grids as a central element of developing a decarbonised, climate-resilient energy services sector for the nearly 600 million people across Africa who lack access to affordable, safe and clean energy. Mini-grids answer the call for solutions that deliver climate change mitigation and resilience, while also advancing economic and social development benefits. In 2020, governments around the world are required to submit their revised Nationally Determined Contribution strategies for reducing global carbon emissions. This creates a unique opportunity to strengthen the rural electrification – climate resilience – sustainable development nexus.
Starting 16 April 2020, the AMG-CoP will convene a virtual 4-session workshop for its members and the broader community of energy access practitioners. This unique event will bring together (in the virtual space) African government leaders, climate finance experts, financial institutions and investors, as well as mini-grid developers and operators. The virtual workshop will assess the role of mini-grids in the current NDCs of Sub-Saharan African governments, discuss how a stronger focus on mini-grid-based rural electrification can increase climate ambition while delivering multiple sustainable development co-benefits, and identify the role of governments and international climate finance in this regard.
This workshop will explore questions such as: • How can the sustainable development objectives of electrification, economic development and climate change mitigation and resilience be more effectively integrated? • How can energy access in Africa be advanced through climate finance? • How can public-private partnerships deliver enhanced electrification and other key community benefits, while also contributing to a stronger bottom line (economic performance) and more attractive investment environment for the private sector?
The workshop will be co-convened by the Africa LEDS Partnership (AfLP) as well as the Finance Working Group and the Energy Working Group of the Low Emissions Development Strategies Global Partnership (LEDS GP) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
