Hommam Al Nassim 
Recent data from the Energy Research Unit showed a significant increase in the potential capacity of solar energy projects on the African continent.
This capacity reached 140.9 GW until June 2024, which reflects the increasing commitment of countries to promoting the use of clean energy in the electricity generation mix.
The figures indicate that North African countries, led by Morocco, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania and Algeria, have the largest total capacity, amounting to 90.53 gigawatts, while the capacity of sub-Saharan African countries reached 50.42 gigawatts. Most of this capacity is distributed between projects under construction, pre-construction, and announced projects.
The Arab countries stand out on the list of the most developed, with Morocco topping the list with a capacity of 29.05 gigawatts, followed by Libya, Egypt, Mauritania and Algeria with advanced projects aiming to enhance their share of clean energy in the coming years.
Egypt seeks to raise its share of renewable energy to 60% of the total electricity generation mix by 2030, after its current capacity for generating renewable electricity reached 6,709 gigawatts by the end of 2023.
Despite these positive developments, the continent faces challenges related to infrastructure and financing, but it has great opportunities to benefit from its abundant natural resources of solar energy, which enhances the achievement of energy independence and promotes sustainable development.
An official holiday in Libya for two days due to an air depression