Africa and Middle East Installed 962 MW New Wind Capacity in 2018

Adani Green's 130 MW Wind Project Commissioned in Gujarat

The report forecasts that a further 6.5 GW capacity will be added by 2023.

According to the latest data released by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), countries in Africa and the Middle East region installed 962 MW of new onshore wind power capacity in 2018, an increase of more than 300 MW compared to 2017.

The preview data from GWEC’s Global Wind Report forecasts that a further 6.5 GW capacity will be added by 2023, this would mean more than double the current installed capacity of 5.7GW.

Top three markets in Africa and the Middle East in 2018:

Egypt – 380 MW

Kenya – 310 MW

Morocco – 120 MW

The report further points out that leading players in the industry are committed to driving the development of markets in Africa and the Middle East, demonstrated by Siemens Gamesa involvement in large projects in Egypt across 2018.

Ben Backwell, CEO of GWEC, said, “Government commitment in Africa and Middle East is essential for wind energy to progress. Investments in grid and infrastructure are key drivers for growth. GWEC is especially watching the development in the Middle East. In January 2019, Saudi Arabia awarded 400 MW to build the first commercial onshore wind farm in the Middle East. The bid of 21.30 USD/ KWh proves the competitiveness of onshore wind.”

Karin Ohlenforst, Director of Market Intelligence at GWEC, said, “After two years with lower installations, Africa and Middle East reached almost 1 GW of new wind capacity, reaching a similar level as in 2015 (983 MW). The outlook is that Africa and Middle East will add more than 1 GW each year of new wind capacity. Even though, no new capacity was installed in South Africa during 2018, during the summer state utility Eskom signed PPAs from previous auction rounds. Further, the industry expects the fifth round of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Program (REIPPPP) to take place during H1 2019.”