JOHANNESBURG — From Zimbabwe, where many must work at night because it’s the only time there is power, to Nigeria where collapses of the grid are frequent, a reliable supply of electricity remains elusive across Africa.
SUNDAY ALAMBA, ASSOCIATED PRESS
High tension power lines pass through the Makoko slum Aug. 20, 2022, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The electricity shortages that plague many of Africa’s 54 countries are a serious drain on the continent’s economic growth, energy experts warn.
In recent years South Africa’s power generation has become so inadequate that the continent’s most developed economy must cope with rolling power blackouts of eight to 10 hours per day.
Africa’s sprawling cities have erratic supplies of electricity but large swaths of the continent’s rural areas have no power at all. In 2021, 43% of Africans — about 600 million people — lacked access to electricity with 590 million of them in sub‐Saharan Africa, according to the International Energy Agency.
Investments of nearly $20 billion are required annually to achieve universal electrification across sub-Saharan Africa, according to World Bank estimates. Of that figure nearly $10 billion is needed annually bring power and keep it on in West and Central Africa.
Denis Farrell, Associated Press
The land is ploughed under electrical pylons leading from a coal-powered electricity generating plant Nov. 17, 2022, east of Johannesburg.
There are many reasons for Africa’s dire delivery of electricity including aging infrastructure, lack of government oversight and a shortage of skills to maintain the national grids, according to Andrew Lawrence, an energy expert at the Witwatersrand University Business School in Johannesburg.
A historical problem is that many colonial regimes built electrical systems largely reserved for the minority white population and which excluded large parts of the Black population.
Today many African countries rely on state-owned power utilities.
Much attention has focused in the past two years on the Western-funded “Just Energy Transition,” in which France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union are offering funds to help poorer countries move from highly polluting coal-fired power generation to renewable, environmentally-friendly sources of power. Africa as a region should be among the major beneficiaries in order to expand electricity access on the continent and improve the struggling power grids, said Lawrence.
“The transition should target rural access and place at the forefront the electrification of the continent as a whole. This is something that is technically possible,” he said.
The Western powers vowed to make $8.5 billion available to help South Africa move away from its coal-fired power plants, which produce 80% of the country’s power.
As a result of its dependence upon coal, South Africa is among the top 20 highest emitters of planet-warming greenhouse gases in the world and accounts for nearly a third of all of Africa’s emissions, according to experts.
South Africa’s plan to move away from coal, however, is hampered by its pressing need to produce as much power as possible each day.
The East African nation of Uganda for years has also grappled with power cuts despite massive investment in electricity generation.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has grappled with an inadequate power supply for many years, generating just 4,000 megawatts though the population of more than 210 million people needs 30,000 megawatts, say experts. The oil-rich but energy-poor West African nation has ramped up investments in the power sector but endemic corruption and mismanagement have resulted in little gains.
In Zimbabwe, electricity shortages that have plagued the country for years have worsened as the state authority that manages Kariba, the country’s biggest dam, has limited power generation due to low water levels.
Denis Farrell, Associated Press
Chicken farmer Herman du Preez stands among thousands of his chickens in an electricity-dependent run at his Frangipani farm March 23 near Lichtenburg. In January some 40,000 of his broiler chickens died when electricity failed causing the death of the livestock.
Successive droughts have reduced Lake Kariba’s level so much that the Kariba South Hydro Power Station, which provides Zimbabwe with about 70% of its electricity, is currently producing just 300 megawatts, far less than its capacity of 1,050 megawatts.
Zimbabwe’s coal-fired power stations that also provide some electricity have become unreliable due to aging infrastructure marked by frequent breakdowns. The country’s solar potential is yet to be fully developed to meaningfully augment supply.
This means that Harare barber Omar Chienda never knows when he’ll have the power needed to run his electric clippers.
“What can we do? We just have to wait until electricity is back but most of the time it comes back at night,” said Chienda, a 39-year-old father of three. “That means I can’t work, my family goes hungry.”
In Nigeria’s capital city of Abuja, restaurant owner Favour Ben, 29, said she spends a large part of her monthly budget on electricity bills and on petrol for her generator, but adds that she gets only an average of 7 hours of power daily.
“It has been very difficult, especially after paying your electricity bill and they don’t give you light,” said Ben. “Most times, I prepare customers’ orders but if there is no light (power for a refrigerator), it turns bad the next day (and) I have lost money for that.”
Businesses in Nigeria suffer an annual loss of $29 billion as a result of unreliable electricity, the World Bank said, with providers of essential services often struggling to keep their operations afloat on generators.
As delegates gathered in Cape Town recently to discuss Africa’s energy challenges, there was a resounding sentiment that drawn-out power shortages on the continent had to be addressed urgently. There was some hope that the Western-funded “Just Energy Transition” would create some opportunities, but many remained skeptical.
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‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
Underwood Archives // Getty Images
The story of humans trying to use light and heat to their benefit goes back to prehistoric times. The earliest use of fire for these purposes led to torches, oil lamps, candles, gas systems, and finally, lightbulbs. Up until the early years of the 19th century, electrical lighting technology was scant. Soon after, scientists and inventors were fixated on successfully controlling electricity in order to provide a continuous flow of illumination and energy.
Old and new lightbulbs may look similar, but they actually have very little in common. Incandescent and fluorescent lights brightened homes, offices, businesses, and streets for most of the 20th century. However, light-emitting diode technology—simply referred to as LED—has steadily taken over in the last two decades. Valued at just over $78 billion in 2020, the global LED lighting market is forecasted to be worth more than $192 billion by 2030 in its drive toward ubiquity.
In 2020, 57% of the LED lighting market share belonged to light fixtures, which are used in industrial and commercial settings; however, LED popularity has also grown significantly for residential use. Latest estimates from the Energy Information Administration show almost half of U.S. households use LED bulbs for the majority of their indoor lighting. This growth is attributed to the rising usage of LED A-type lamps due to low prices, available clean energy subsidies provided by agencies and governments, and their "plug-and-play" design, which does not require the rewiring of existing electricity sources.
LED Lighting Supply looked at the history of electric lighting, from early incandescent lightbulbs to LED technology. Scroll down and be dazzled by the illuminating history of modern lighting, and find out—once and for all—if Thomas Edison did indeed invent the incandescent lightbulb.
Underwood Archives // Getty Images
The story of humans trying to use light and heat to their benefit goes back to prehistoric times. The earliest use of fire for these purposes led to torches, oil lamps, candles, gas systems, and finally, lightbulbs. Up until the early years of the 19th century, electrical lighting technology was scant. Soon after, scientists and inventors were fixated on successfully controlling electricity in order to provide a continuous flow of illumination and energy.
Old and new lightbulbs may look similar, but they actually have very little in common. Incandescent and fluorescent lights brightened homes, offices, businesses, and streets for most of the 20th century. However, light-emitting diode technology—simply referred to as LED—has steadily taken over in the last two decades. Valued at just over $78 billion in 2020, the global LED lighting market is forecasted to be worth more than $192 billion by 2030 in its drive toward ubiquity.
In 2020, 57% of the LED lighting market share belonged to light fixtures, which are used in industrial and commercial settings; however, LED popularity has also grown significantly for residential use. Latest estimates from the Energy Information Administration show almost half of U.S. households use LED bulbs for the majority of their indoor lighting. This growth is attributed to the rising usage of LED A-type lamps due to low prices, available clean energy subsidies provided by agencies and governments, and their "plug-and-play" design, which does not require the rewiring of existing electricity sources.
LED Lighting Supply looked at the history of electric lighting, from early incandescent lightbulbs to LED technology. Scroll down and be dazzled by the illuminating history of modern lighting, and find out—once and for all—if Thomas Edison did indeed invent the incandescent lightbulb.
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‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
Bettmann // Getty Images
Around 20 different early versions of lightbulbs were developed before Edison patented his invention in 1879. In Scotland, 44 years earlier, James Bowman Lindsay made a public demonstration of how a constant electric light worked. Some historians credit him as the inventor of the incandescent lightbulb. Nonetheless, other relatively successful experiments go as far back as 1809, when British chemist Humphry Davy invented the first electric arc lamp.
Other researchers that achieved some level of success with their experiments were Americans William Sawyer and Albon Man and British inventor Joseph Swan, all of whom sued Thomas Edison for patent infringement, but eventually ended up settling and partnering with him to found both General Electric in the U.S. and Ediswan in the U.K.
Bettmann // Getty Images
Around 20 different early versions of lightbulbs were developed before Edison patented his invention in 1879. In Scotland, 44 years earlier, James Bowman Lindsay made a public demonstration of how a constant electric light worked. Some historians credit him as the inventor of the incandescent lightbulb. Nonetheless, other relatively successful experiments go as far back as 1809, when British chemist Humphry Davy invented the first electric arc lamp.
Other researchers that achieved some level of success with their experiments were Americans William Sawyer and Albon Man and British inventor Joseph Swan, all of whom sued Thomas Edison for patent infringement, but eventually ended up settling and partnering with him to found both General Electric in the U.S. and Ediswan in the U.K.
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‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
Universal History Archive // Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Arc lamps were expensive to operate, and the glow fluctuated so much that they proved to be impractical for most settings. They needed to be powered by generators since even the largest batteries depleted too quickly. Commercial generators were available around 1844, and by 1860, lighthouses in France and England used arc lights powered by electric dynamo machines.
Once it was evident that arc lamps were not suitable for indoor illumination, European researchers teamed up to create some of the first arc lamp outdoor lighting systems. Arc lighting debuted in two places in France in 1875: at the La Chapelle railway station, believed to be the first street-level arc lamp use, and at the Mill of Heilmann, Ducommun, and Steinlein. It later found its way to London, where in 1878 arc lamps were used to light the Thames Embankment. Similar systems were soon developed thereafter in the U.S.
Universal History Archive // Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Arc lamps were expensive to operate, and the glow fluctuated so much that they proved to be impractical for most settings. They needed to be powered by generators since even the largest batteries depleted too quickly. Commercial generators were available around 1844, and by 1860, lighthouses in France and England used arc lights powered by electric dynamo machines.
Once it was evident that arc lamps were not suitable for indoor illumination, European researchers teamed up to create some of the first arc lamp outdoor lighting systems. Arc lighting debuted in two places in France in 1875: at the La Chapelle railway station, believed to be the first street-level arc lamp use, and at the Mill of Heilmann, Ducommun, and Steinlein. It later found its way to London, where in 1878 arc lamps were used to light the Thames Embankment. Similar systems were soon developed thereafter in the U.S.
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‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
Keystone // Getty Images
It is true that several other scientists were experimenting with lightbulbs before or at the same time as Thomas Edison. It is also true that he was the first one to discover which type of carbonized material would provide constant light inside glass balloons without burning out or overheating. After trying literally thousands of different filament sources—from expensive metals to human hair—he found the perfect one: bamboo.
Edison was more than a scientist; he was also a visionary businessman. From the beginning of his research, he focused on an entire lighting system. In the early 1880s, he supervised (from his own plans) the construction of the earliest commercial, central electric power station in New York City and thereafter established a laboratory in New Jersey, where he would work for the rest of his life.
His commercial ambitions also influenced others. In 1879, the same year Edison patented his version of the lightbulb, inventor Charles Brush showed the capacity of his own system by lighting Cleveland's Public Square. Fast-forward two years and working lighting systems brightened the streets of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal, Buffalo, and San Francisco.
Keystone // Getty Images
It is true that several other scientists were experimenting with lightbulbs before or at the same time as Thomas Edison. It is also true that he was the first one to discover which type of carbonized material would provide constant light inside glass balloons without burning out or overheating. After trying literally thousands of different filament sources—from expensive metals to human hair—he found the perfect one: bamboo.
Edison was more than a scientist; he was also a visionary businessman. From the beginning of his research, he focused on an entire lighting system. In the early 1880s, he supervised (from his own plans) the construction of the earliest commercial, central electric power station in New York City and thereafter established a laboratory in New Jersey, where he would work for the rest of his life.
His commercial ambitions also influenced others. In 1879, the same year Edison patented his version of the lightbulb, inventor Charles Brush showed the capacity of his own system by lighting Cleveland's Public Square. Fast-forward two years and working lighting systems brightened the streets of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Montreal, Buffalo, and San Francisco.
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‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
Schenectady Museum/Hall of Electrical History Foundation/Corbis via Getty Images
In 1901, Peter Cooper Hewitt passed an electric current through a glass tube with mercury vapor. However, the bluish-green light radiated was unsuitable for home or public illumination. Three decades later, European researchers experimented with phosphors-coated neon tubes, motivating their American colleagues to study further. Eventually, white light radiated from the tubular lamps.
In 1939, General Electric and Westinghouse introduced fluorescent lamps. Their popularity grew rapidly, and by 1951 more light in the U.S. was produced by linear fluorescent lamps than incandescent bulbs. Twenty-five years later, after already pioneering the Watt-Miser energy-efficient fluorescent lamp, Edward Hammer figured out how to bend the tubes, resulting in the first compact fluorescent light.
Schenectady Museum/Hall of Electrical History Foundation/Corbis via Getty Images
In 1901, Peter Cooper Hewitt passed an electric current through a glass tube with mercury vapor. However, the bluish-green light radiated was unsuitable for home or public illumination. Three decades later, European researchers experimented with phosphors-coated neon tubes, motivating their American colleagues to study further. Eventually, white light radiated from the tubular lamps.
In 1939, General Electric and Westinghouse introduced fluorescent lamps. Their popularity grew rapidly, and by 1951 more light in the U.S. was produced by linear fluorescent lamps than incandescent bulbs. Twenty-five years later, after already pioneering the Watt-Miser energy-efficient fluorescent lamp, Edward Hammer figured out how to bend the tubes, resulting in the first compact fluorescent light.
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‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
Ralf-Finn Hestoft // Corbis via Getty Images
While working as a scientific advisor for General Electric, engineer Nick Holonyak Jr. invented the first visible spectrum red LED in 1962. At first, it was used in simple electronic devices, such as digital alarm clocks, watches, and screen displays. Green and yellow LED came later. LEDs are components of electrical circuits that produce light. They are composed of small chips of semiconductors, which are able to conduct electricity, or as Holonyak once said, "the current itself is the light."
Holonyak was a prolific inventor, who held 41 patents under his name, including the lasers that activated DVD and CD players.
Ralf-Finn Hestoft // Corbis via Getty Images
While working as a scientific advisor for General Electric, engineer Nick Holonyak Jr. invented the first visible spectrum red LED in 1962. At first, it was used in simple electronic devices, such as digital alarm clocks, watches, and screen displays. Green and yellow LED came later. LEDs are components of electrical circuits that produce light. They are composed of small chips of semiconductors, which are able to conduct electricity, or as Holonyak once said, "the current itself is the light."
Holonyak was a prolific inventor, who held 41 patents under his name, including the lasers that activated DVD and CD players.
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‘What can we do?’: Millions in African countries need power
Kevork Djansezian // Getty Images
A major breakthrough in LED technology was the invention of bright blue LED by Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura, which earned them the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics. It was a technical victory because it cleared the path for the creation of the highly efficient and environmentally friendly white LED, a wide spectrum light with a lengthy list of practical applications.
Besides forging the path toward white LED development, blue LEDs light up the screens of televisions, computers, mobile phones, and tablets. As yet, white LED lightbulbs are not the predominant bulb used in residential lighting in the U.S.—despite proving to save consumers money on electric bills—but their market share is growing.
This story originally appeared on LED Lighting Supply and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Kevork Djansezian // Getty Images
A major breakthrough in LED technology was the invention of bright blue LED by Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura, which earned them the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics. It was a technical victory because it cleared the path for the creation of the highly efficient and environmentally friendly white LED, a wide spectrum light with a lengthy list of practical applications.
Besides forging the path toward white LED development, blue LEDs light up the screens of televisions, computers, mobile phones, and tablets. As yet, white LED lightbulbs are not the predominant bulb used in residential lighting in the U.S.—despite proving to save consumers money on electric bills—but their market share is growing.
This story originally appeared on LED Lighting Supply and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
