Total installed capacity of hydropower plants
The hydropower installed capacity indicates the amount of energy a hydropower plant can produce in its turbines. In 2016, hydropower accounted for 54% of the installed capacity in Eastern Africa, 58% in Central Africa and 30% in Western Africa with fourteen countries having a hydropower share above 50% and eight countries above 70%. These highly hydropower-dependent countries are particularly prone to electricity cuts due to the lack of water caused by severe drought. This map shows the installed capacities (MW) of hydropower plants with an installed capacity above 5MW, aggregated for each hydropower generating country in Africa for year 2016. The selection of hydropower sites represents 95% of the total hydropower installed capacity in Africa.
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Suggested citation
Sanchez, R. G., Seliger, R., Fahl, F., Felice, L. De, Ouarda, T. B. M. J., & Farinosi, F. (2020). Freshwater use of the energy sector in Africa. Applied Energy, 270(May), https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.115171
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Hydropower plants with the following characteristics are considered: i) installed capacity above 5MW, ii) unambiguous identification of power plant location and iii) artificial water accumulation in reservoir associated with hydropower plant operation.
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