One Earth Climate Model Africa

The UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) has developed detailed decarbonisation pathways for Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Tunisia, using the One Earth Climate Model (OECM) – a tool established in 2017 by scientists from ISF, the German Aerospace Center, and the University of Melbourne.

Decarbonising the economy by 2050

Research revealed that these six African countries have significant potential to produce onshore wind and solar energy – enough to reliably cover their future electricity needs, and to export excess energy to neighbouring countries.

Dr Sven Teske, Associate Professor at ISF specialising in renewable energy systems and market integration, led the research. He says, “The fastest and most cost-effective way for those African nations to become middle-income countries is by using domestic renewable energies.”

Analysis showed that annual investment into new renewable technologies for power generation until 2025 is enough to establish a reliable and affordable electricity supply and universal access to energy for the six African countries.

Dr Teske says, “Each country can refinance this investment by saving on imported fossil fuels. The international community should provide support to bridge the finance gap for the initial project development and equipment procurement.”

Why Africa in focus?

Mohamed Adow, Executive Director of Power Shift Africa, the organisation that commissioned the report, says, “Africa has a right to development. This right should not be twisted to justify the continued extractivist and inherently unequal practices of the fossil fuel system. Embracing this right to development means claiming Africa’s potential as the leader in accessible, affordable, and people-centered renewable energy systems.”

ISF’s OECM African pathways seek to support this goal by offering these six countries with a means to secure economic stability.