Clean technologies and innovation in energy

Developing countries are faced with multiple energy challenges—the dilemma of increasing energy services to billions of people who currently live without electricity, and the need to operate low-carbon, intensive energy systems for environmental sustainability. Clean energy technologies can reduce fossil fuel dependency, provide jobs, and play a central role in improving access to energy; however, there are questions on availability, accessibility, reliability, affordability, and appropriateness of these technologies in developing countries. This chapter provides an overview of the clean energy sources and technologies in Africa. It concludes with case studies of clean energy projects (potential, ongoing, tried and tested) across the different African countries and highlights the challenges, barriers, and approaches to the development, transfer, and diffusion of new and innovative energy technologies.