Renewable energy in Africa spurred on by economic factors

Encouraged by economic factors, renewable energy has seen considerable growth across the continent both at a large and much smaller scale

Renewable energy sources are making inroads into Africa's energy mix and may one day usurp the role of fossil fuels. But if they do, it will be primarily because there is a strong economic case for adopting them, rather than because of green energy policies.  Wind farms are sprouting up in Ethiopia, Senegal, South Africa and across North Africa. Sizeable solar arrays are becoming more commonplace in countries from Burkina Faso to Kenya. There are also plans to develop massive solar farms in the Sahara to supply Europe and Africa, if financing can be mobilised. But there are limits at present to how much renewables can contribute in Africa, just as there are everywhere else. Renewables, such