Advancing Climate Resilience in Power Planning: A Strategic Imperative for West Africa
As I conclude my tenure leading the $74 million 5-year USAID & Power Africa West Africa Energy Program (WAEP), I am reflecting on the significant strides we have made in integrating climate resilience into power planning across West and Central Africa. However, there is still much work to be done to address climate change, which remains one of the biggest impediments to energy access.
Preparing for and forecasting the impacts of climate change are crucial steps in this process. National and regional organizations, development finance institutions, philanthropic organizations, and civil society have made some progress, but continued collaboration and effort are essential to overcoming this critical barrier and ensuring sustainable energy solutions for the future.
Growing up in Nigeria, I recall the rainy season beginning sometime in April and petering out in late October. In those 7 months we knew not to have outdoor events, to prepare for possible flooding, to ensure there was always an umbrella and wellies in the car and to damp-proof our homes.
The dry season or harmattan, which typically gained full traction in December and January, was finally the time to break out the canopies and live bands for outdoor parties. On the development end, this was also the time when our governments embarked on large scale infrastructure developments, roads were tarred, power plants were built, buildings were painted…basically any project that couldn’t be impacted by rain, was carried out in the dry months.
In recent times, West Africa has seen a significant shift in weather patterns as observed by the World Weather Attribution service, which states that “Climate change exacerbated heavy rainfall leading to large scale flooding in highly vulnerable communities in West Africa”. It now rains in December, a previously unthinkable phenomenon. A full year could see rainfall for the entire 12 months, with the greatest deluge during the established rainy months and scattered showers in the previously dry months.
This has significantly affected power planning, as I have personally experienced delays with commissioning of transmission infrastructure in Guinea, due to extreme rainfall.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) also reports that “extreme weather events can directly affect all stages of the energy value chain of the electricity system, which includes generation, transmission and distribution, and demand”. USAIDs Climate Risk Profile for West Africa goes further to state that “variable hydrological conditions will continue to challenge electricity output throughout West Africa. By 2050, the combined effects of climate and development will reduce hydropower potential in the Volta River Basin by nearly 50 percent”.
Our power sector already suffers extreme commercial and technical losses, limited access to finance, neglect of rural electrification and a stilted gender approach; including climate losses, takes the situation from critical to disastrous. Climate resilience is therefore necessary for sustainable development, particularly in the energy sector of West Africa.
One Region, Different Solutions
Building power infrastructure requires being able to foresee possible risks and utilize climate resilient infrastructure tailored to the particular environment. Although West African countries share similar developmental changes, recognizing the nuances of each environment, means solutions are unique.
Dusty Climates
For example, the Sahel region of West Africa consisting of Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, Chad, and Mauritania, have a very dusty and arid climate, (Senegal and Cape Verde are also considered Sahelian, though with less severe weather than the former).
Dust causes overheating in equipment, reduced efficiency and mechanical failures. Protecting power generation equipment from dust in arid climates, would require a combination of physical barriers such as sealed or positive pressure enclosures, air filtration systems, cooling systems, corrosion-resistance materials, regular maintenance and proper operation protocols.
Rainy Climates
In direct opposition, the Mano River region of Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, experiences torrential and debilitating rainfall, which has led to deadly environmental crises such as mudslides and flooding.
Protecting power generation equipment in rainy climates involves multiple layers of defense, which could include weatherproof enclosures with high IP ratings for water resistance, proper drainage systems, dehumidification systems, waterproof electrical insulation, water repellent coatings, moisture sensors and operation protocols.
All of this adds an increased level of financing needs, in a region which already has difficulty accessing climate finance. Financing power generation projects in climates suffering extreme weather conditions requires a comprehensive approach to managing environmental challenges. The increased costs in OPEX and CAPEX, risk and insurance, contingency budgets, capacity building and long-term investments in technology…could put off even the hardiest investor.
Integrating Climate Resilience into Power Planning
Climate resilience involves the capacity to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from adverse climate impacts. Effective climate resilience requires both mitigation and adaptation strategies. For power systems, this means not only maintaining reliable energy supply but also adapting infrastructure and operations to withstand extreme weather conditions and other climate-related challenges.
Here are some essential steps needed to achieve climate resilience in power planning:
Understanding Climate Impacts on Energy Systems by assessing the vulnerabilities of existing energy systems and identifying critical infrastructure that may be at risk from extreme weather events. This should be followed by developing comprehensive maps that highlight climate risks across the energy network. These maps should integrate climate-specific data, including temperature changes, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events. By visualizing these risks, planners can make informed decisions about where to focus resilience-building efforts.
Developing Climate-Resilient Energy Policies will involve formulating adaptive policies that are flexible enough to accommodate changing climate conditions and emphasize the use of renewable energy sources, which are less vulnerable to climate impacts compared to fossil fuels. Additionally, robust regulatory frameworks are essential, potentially requiring revisions to building codes for energy infrastructure, establishing standards for resilient materials, and mandating climate impact assessments for new projects. Effective collaboration with stakeholders, including government entities and regulatory bodies, is crucial in both developing and implementing these frameworks to ensure climate resilience in energy policy.
A Collaborative Approach involving key Institutions such as the African Risk Capacity (ARC) Group, which plays a critical role by providing insurance and financial products to mitigate the financial risks associated with climate impacts. This support helps countries quickly recover and maintain energy services during extreme weather events. The World Bank has also been instrumental in financing resilient energy infrastructure projects. Through programs like the International Development Association (IDA) and the Climate Investment Funds (CIF), the World Bank offers funding, technical assistance, and policy advice to develop climate-resilient policies and mobilize investments. The African Development Banks Desert to Power initiative, of which Power Africa is a co-financier, has been instrumental in advancing energy access across the Sahel, with an overarching objective, to create the world’s largest solar energy generation zone by harnessing the solar potential of the Sahel countries.
Mobilizing Investments for Resilient Infrastructure specifically aimed at securing climate finance. Engage with international donors, development banks, and private investors to secure funding for resilient infrastructure projects. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as green bonds or climate adaptation funds, can be instrumental in this effort. Fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors can also combine public sector oversight with private sector efficiency and innovation, to drive investment in resilient energy infrastructure.
Building Resilient Infrastructure is two-fold, because it is necessary to first upgrade existing energy infrastructure to withstand climate impacts. This might involve reinforcing power lines, elevating substations, and implementing flood defenses around critical facilities. Then design new infrastructure with resilience in mind, using materials and technologies that can endure extreme conditions.
Monitoring and Continuous Improvement by establishing robust monitoring systems to track the effectiveness of resilience measures. Use data collected from these systems to make informed adjustments and improvements. Continuous monitoring ensures that resilience strategies remain effective over time and can adapt to evolving climate conditions.
We will also need to encourage a culture of continuous Learning and Adapting. Regularly review and update resilience plans based on new data, emerging technologies, and changing climate scenarios. This iterative approach ensures that energy systems remain resilient in the face of an uncertain climate future.
Conclusion
As we get accustomed to our new normal and uncertain weather patterns, these approaches ensure energy systems can withstand and adapt to climate-related challenges, providing reliable and sustainable energy to communities.
Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer