HARNESSING WAVE ENERGY IN AFRICA

INTRODUCTION

Israel has completed the construction of its inaugural onshore wave energy plant, a pioneering venture now providing electricity to the country's national grid.[i] The 100kW facility at the Port of Jaffa in Tel Aviv marks a significant milestone in Israel's energy landscape. Spearheaded by Eco Wave Power Global, this project, known as EWP-EDF One, emanates from collaboration and co-funding from EDF Renewables and the Israeli Energy Ministry.[ii]

The innovative wave energy system comprises of ten buoyant structures that move in harmony with the natural ebb and flow of the breakwater. These floaters engage hydraulic cylinders, generating pressure differentials that drive a motor and a generator. Through an inverter, the generated electricity seamlessly integrates into the national grid.

The plant's installed capacity of 100kW translates to powering approximately 100 homes during peak efficiency periods, underscoring its substantive contribution to the local energy supply.[iii] Noteworthy is the clever implementation of existing infrastructure, as the floaters are affixed to the pre-existing breakwater, and each is directly connected to Eco Wave Power's onshore energy conversion unit.[iv] This arrangement ensures streamlined maintenance and facilitates potential upgrades.

Beyond its impressive debut at the historic Port of Jaffa, plans are underway for another notable project – a pilot station at the Port of Los Angeles. This upcoming station, stretching around 85 feet long, can generate up to 100kW of power. Located at one of the world's busiest seaports and a pivotal hub for global trade, this endeavor highlights the adaptability and promise of establishing environmentally friendly power stations at diverse locations.[v]

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WAVE ENERGY IN AFRICA

In the foreseeable future, the most promising potential for harnessing offshore renewable energy lies within African small island states.[vi] These nations face limitations in land availability and grapple with the high costs associated with imported fossil fuels.[vii] Offshore renewable sources, such as wind power, ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), marine floating photovoltaics (FPV), and wave power, hold promise for supplementing or partially replacing fossil fuel-based power generation in these regions.[viii] While offshore wind power is currently the most technologically advanced among these options, other technologies are also being explored.

Cabo Verde boasts exceptional wind resources among the small island states, making it a prime option for offshore wind power. Marine FPV is actively being implemented in Seychelles, while OTEC, though not yet economically viable, presents potential due to its high energy capacity and the additional benefit of producing freshwater. A thorough feasibility study in Mauritius suggests that several other African small island states hold promise for these renewable technologies.[ix]

Though continental Africa possesses abundant land-based renewable energy sources that are more immediately feasible to tap into, countries with existing offshore industries, such as oil and gas drilling, could leverage their offshore expertise to facilitate the adoption of offshore renewables, starting with offshore wind power. In the long run, various offshore renewables could play significant roles in African power pools and provide energy solutions for remote locations.[x]

Eastern Africa stands out with its rich potential for diverse offshore renewables, including wind power, wave power, OTEC, marine FPV, and ocean current power. Indian Ocean island nations and the lengthy Somali coastline offer ideal conditions for offshore renewable technologies.[xi]

In Southern Africa, the energetic seas surrounding the region hold promise for offshore wind, wave power, and potentially ocean current power. Countries like Mozambique, Namibia, and Angola exhibit favorable conditions for multiple energy sources.[xii]

Central African countries may have limited offshore potential, but they could successfully employ certain technologies for tapping into freshwater energy resources in rivers and lakes.[xiii]

The Western African region has promising prospects for renewable energy sources, particularly for offshore wind and wave power. The expansive continental shelf provides an ideal platform for floating OTEC, which could potentially serve as a sustainable energy carrier in the future. However, the distance between these energy sources and the main grid could pose challenges to their effective connection.[xiv]

Northern Africa, which is surrounded by the Mediterranean and Red Seas, presents a challenge for the development of wave and tidal power due to limited potential. However, the strong winds that blow along the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Red Sea coasts provide an ideal setting for the implementation of offshore wind power projects.[xv]

The journey toward offshore renewables is marked by challenges due to the demanding marine environment and the early-stage adoption of many technologies. However, as circumstances align, these resources can potentially contribute to a thriving "Blue Economy." Given the diverse renewable energy resources available on the continent, the suitability of offshore technologies will always be influenced by the availability of less complex land-based alternatives.[xvi]

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POLICY CONSIDERATIONS FOR HARNESSING WAVE ENERGY IN AFRICA

Implementing wave energy projects in Africa requires careful attention to policy considerations that can shape the success and feasibility of such endeavors. Policies play a crucial role in facilitating wave energy technologies' development, integration, and sustainability. Some key policy considerations include:

1. Renewable Energy Targets and Commitments: Many African countries are committed to reducing their carbon footprint through the implementation of renewable energy targets in their climate action plans. In this regard, wave energy projects that are aligned with these targets can provide significant incentives and regulatory support, thereby promoting a cleaner and more sustainable energy future for the continent.[xvii]
2. Energy Regulations and Licensing: Developing unambiguous and comprehensive regulatory frameworks for wave energy is of utmost importance. It is imperative to establish specific regulations pertaining to licensing, permitting, and environmental assessments for offshore installations. Such measures would enable efficient and effective management of the sector, ensuring the protection and preservation of?natural resources.[xviii]
3. Feed-in Tariffs and Incentives: Governments can promote wave energy development by offering feed-in tariffs to attract investors.[xix]
4. Offshore Use and Zoning Regulations: To prevent any potential conflicts with marine activities and promote environmental protection, it is imperative to establish clear boundaries for offshore areas designated for energy projects. Additionally, regulating coastal land use is crucial, in ensuring a harmonious coexistence between human activities and the marine ecosystem. With well-defined boundaries and effective regulations, a balance can be achieved between economic development and environmental conservation.[xx]
5. Local Content Requirements: Local industries and labour can benefit from wave energy projects by implementing local content requirements in contracts, leading to economic growth, job creation, and technology transfer. Additionally, investing in training and capacity-building programs for local technicians, engineers, and other professionals will help create a skilled workforce to support the wave energy industry.[xxi]
6. Grid Connection and Integration: It is imperative that policies are put in place to facilitate the seamless integration of wave energy into current grid infrastructure. These policies should address technical challenges, ensuring a reliable electricity supply is maintained. Such measures will significantly enhance the efficiency of wave energy as a sustainable energy source.[xxii]
7. Risk Mitigation and Insurance: It is crucial to have insurance frameworks to manage potential risks associated with wave energy projects, such as technical failures and environmental incidents, etc.[xxiii]

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CONCLUSION

African nations have the potential to establish a conducive atmosphere for wave energy initiatives by crafting policies that align with their distinct contexts and energy requirements within the overall energy mix. Nevertheless, key factors as highlighted must be given due consideration, in crafting the policy framework; to engender the attainment of increased energy security, sustainable development goals, and economic growth.

[i] Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl, ‘ Onshore wave energy plant connects to the Israeli power grid’ < https://www.esi-africa.com/industry-sectors/future-energy/onshore-wave-energy-plant-connects-to-the-israeli-power-grid/ >

[ii] Ibid

[iii] Ibid

[iv] Ibid

[v] Ibid

[vi] AFDB, ‘Assessing the potential of Offshore Renewable Energy in Africa’ < https://reglobal.co/assessing-the-potential-of-offshore-renewable-energy-in-africa/ >

[vii] Ibid.

[viii] Ibid.

[ix] Ibid.

[x] Ibid.

[xi] Ibid.

[xii] Ibid.

[xiii] Ibid.

[xiv] Ibid.

[xv] Ibid.

[xvi] Ibid.

[xvii] IRENA, ‘SCALING UP RENEWABLE ENERGY DEPLOYMENT IN AFRICA’ < https://www.irena.org/-/media/Files/IRENA/Agency/Publication/2020/Feb/IRENA_Africa_Impact_Report_2020.pdf >

[xviii] ‘Regulatory Frameworks for Marine Renewable Energy’ < https://tethys.pnnl.gov/regulatory-frameworks-marine-renewable-energy >

[xix] Asian Development Bank Institute, ‘Feed-in tariffs and loans for boosting private investment in renewable energy < https://www.asiapathways-adbi.org/2019/10/feed-in-tariffs-and-loans-for-boosting-private-investment-in-renewable-energy/ >

[xx] Alicia Elias-Roberts, ‘Balancing Environmental Protection and Offshore Petroleum Developments in Guyana’

< https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/full/10.3366/gels.2020.0004 >

[xxi] Ibid.

[xxii] Hafiz Ahsan Said and John V. Ringwood, ‘Grid integration aspects of wave energy—Overview and perspectives’ < https://ietresearch.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1049/rpg2.12179 >

[xxiii] Nadezda Kirillova, ‘Insurance Programs in the Renewable Energy Sources Projects’ <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355434864_Insurance_Programs_in_the_Renewable_Energy_Sources_Projects >?