The Potential of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) in Africa

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology in Africa, exploring its potential to address energy poverty and contribute to economic development. It begins with an executive summary highlighting the opportunities for CSP in Africa, followed by a detailed table of contents. The report delves into the current state of CSP technology, differentiating between power applications and CSP technology types such as Fresnel Mirror, Parabolic Trough, Solar Dish Collector, and Power Tower, and its effect on the energy system and other fuels, including archetype shifts, reduced reliance on traditional combustion, investment shifts, and cost reductions. It then examines current and prospective technical developments, including storage and hybrid systems. Furthermore, the report discusses the barriers and opportunities associated with CSP, including capital intensiveness, the level costs of traditional technologies, and fossil fuel subsidies, as well as increasing support, cost reduction potential, and capacity for improvement. The report concludes with a summary of findings and personal views on the future of CSP in Africa. The report also includes figures and references to support the analysis.