RENEWABLE ENERGY

Can Save West Africa Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars

At the recent West Africa Energy Transition Forum in Dakar, key energy decision makers from Wärtsilä shared insights on the impact renewables will have on power system cost, flexibility, and stability in West Africa.

They presented the results of their latest study which investigates Senegal’s optimal power system expansion. The study reveals that the scenario featuring a greater deployment of renewable energy in the power system will, by far, be the most a ordable and sustainable option. Paired with energy storage and flexible engine power plants to maintain a constant and stable power supply, a larger share of renewable energy will reduce carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and generate total system savings of $700 million by 2035.

The fuel savings are the main factor in reducing the total cost of the system since renewable energy will partially remove the need to operate thermal power plants at full load to satisfy demand.

“Our study shows very clearly that maximising low-cost renewable energy is in Senegal’s best interest, both economically and environmentally,” says Kenneth Engblom, VP, Africa and Europe, Wärtsilä Energy. “We would almost certainly reach the same results, albeit of varying scales, if we were to analyse Guinea, Ivory Coast, or Mauritania’s power systems in similar depth. Price alone is converting the world to renewable energy.”

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