Brexit effects on UK’s solar sector
Two weeks into the Brexit referendum the future of the UK’s solar sector is still uncertain. As experts predict, the short- and long-term effects are most likely to be negative.
Two weeks into the Brexit referendum the future of the UK’s solar sector is still uncertain. As experts predict, the short- and long-term effects are most likely to be negative.
By far the most populous country of Africa (with 177 million inhabitants in 2014), and consequently the first GDP of the continent, Nigeria is a member of the OPEP and has a large amount of oil resources, which represents the major part of its economy. The rest of the GDP is mainly divided between the agriculture sector and artisanal production. The electrification rate of the country is rather low: in 2012, only 55.6% of the population had access to electricity. The lack of infrastructure affects mainly the rural and poor populations. To overcome the inexistence and the low reliability of the electricity distribution in several areas of the country, the rural populations invest in diesel generators, which are expensive and polluting.
Algeria was the very first country in Africa to apply a Feed-in Tariff scheme for renewable energy. In August 2004, a national program for the promotion of renewable energy was launched: it obliges Sonelgaz, the national public energy operator, to buy energy from renewable sources through a commercial contract. However, this policy failed: it did not lead to any renewable power plant construction.
In order to reach its objectives of developing its electricity generation from renewable resources, the Kenyan Energy Ministry has established in 2008 a Feed-in-Tariff policy, subsidising renewables-based electricity production.
The Brazilian government is getting ready to crank up its solar photovoltaic capacity. A recent string of tenders has drawn the attention of solar investors from around the globe and the Brazil Electricity Agency (ANEEL) is to auction 2-3 GW worth of solar photovoltaic capacity between now and 2018. Solar, so good…
Carlos Finat, Executive Director of the Chilean Association of Renewable Energy (ACERA), talks to Milk the Sun about the growing potential of renewable energies in the context of mining operations in Chile and goes deep into the challenges and opportunities in this vibrant market.
