China builds 30 per cent of Sub-Saharan power capacity

• 7 years ago (2016-07-26)
• David Flin

Asia 848

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According to a study released by the International Energy Agency (IEA), Chinese companies have invested substantially in sub-Sharan Africa, accounting for 30 per cent of the region’s capacity additions in the last five years. The report, Boosting the Power Sector in Sub-Saharan Africa: China’s Involvement , focuses on around $13 billion of investment between 2010 and 2015 from China, primarily financed through public lending. Over half the projects added are for renewable energy, mainly hydropower.

Chinese firms are also active in cross-border transmission lines, such as between Ethiopia and Kenya, and in local distribution networks such as in Equatorial Guinea, or off-grid in rural Angola.