Africa’s clean energy investments growing

NAIROBI. – Chinese investments in renewable energy are increasing rapidly in sub-Saharan Africa, with major projects set to help light vast areas of the continent while contributing to tackling climate change.

From the Sakai photovoltaic power station in the Central African Republic and the Garissa solar plant in Kenya, to the Aysha wind power project in Ethiopia and the Kafue Gorge hydroelectric station in Zambia, China has implemented hundreds of clean energy, green development projects in Africa, supporting the continent’s efforts to tackle climate change.

The projects are seen as crucial at a time when climate change is of concern across the globe – including the recent global heat wave that has hit parts of North Africa and a drought that is devastating parts of the Horn of Africa.

In addition, there is evidence of additional benefits of China’s investment in Africa’s green energy sector, with newly created jobs and training activities involving local staff.

Liu Yichao, the business manager for China Jiangxi International Kenya who is in charge of several projects across East Africa, said the company has always been committed to improving the level of infrastructure and people’s well-being in Africa in many fields, including renewable energy.

“We operate in different construction sectors and we have implemented projects in Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania in the East African region. Even though we are a construction company and have built infrastructure like bridges and hospitals in Africa, we also participate in setting up renewable energy facilities like hydroelectric dams and solar power stations,” Liu said.

“One of our latest projects is the Koru-Soin multipurpose dam in western Kenya…. The objective is to build a comprehensive water conservancy project integrating flood control, water supply and irrigation functions,” he added.

In May, the company, as the general contractor, signed the contract with Kenya’s National Water Harvesting and Storage Authority for construction of the dam. – ChinaDaily.com