To date, IRENA developed power system models for 47 African countries, uniquely calibrated to represent their national supply structures and regional interconnections that help national energy planners to assess the possible least-cost supply scenarios for 20 years into the future. IRENA's inhouse developed SPLAT tool serves as a user-friendly interface for initial development and ongoing enhancements and updates of these models. These SPLAT Africa models are built on IRENA’s rich renewable energy database, comprising up-to-date data on technology cost and performance and resource potentials. Models are customised with the existing institutionally credible national/regional analyses and their respective input data, allowing decision makers to assess investment options in light of specific policy goals. The future system prospects are analysed through a least-cost optimisation framework for energy supply, built using the MESSAGE software from the International Atomic Energy Agency. 

The SPLAT models are developed primarily to provide a robust starting point for IRENA’s capacity building programmes on energy planning. IRENA conducts these training programmes at regional and national levels. The trainings focus on the development and application of calibrated SPLAT models for defining and undertaking energy planning scenarios, as well as developing a national energy masterplan document.

SPLAT Model files and Analysis Reports 

SPLAT models have also been used for carrying out regional analyses covering different Africa regional power pools. Results from these model based analyses have contributed to IRENA "planning and prospects for renewable power" report series: 

• Southern and Eastern Africa (2020) -forthcoming
• West Africa updates (2018)
• West Africa (2013)
• Southern Africa (2013)
• Africa five power pools synthesis report (2015)

Results of the past and the latest SPLAT model analyses across Africa can be accessed and visualized through an interactive web based dashboard. Interested stakeholders can also freely access the model files underlying the above stated analyses by filling a request form.

Planning and prospects for renewable power: West Africa

Low-cost renewable energy, especially from solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, has become an increasingly important part of West Africa’s electricity supply. This report outlines three broad scenarios for the growth of renewables in the region’s power systems, particularly in relation to key national and regional targets.

• November 2018
• |
• Power
• |
• English, French
• |
• Benin, Cote D'Ivoire

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