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Working with a wide range of local stakeholders in Ghana and Burkina Faso, researchers found that, unlike current national plans, the projected rapid increase in electricity demand could be met almost entirely from renewables, but diversification beyond hydropower will be necessary. Further, they concluded that phasing out fossil fuels would bring West African countries’ energy policies in line with Paris Agreement targets and generate additional socio-economic and environmental co-benefits.
A hydroelectricity generating dam
Photo: Viktor Solomonik / Pixabay
Employing a transdisciplinary approach, the researchers assessed various ways to mitigate and adapt to changes in energy and water supply and demand, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through collaboration with stakeholders and national plans, they created future scenarios using energy and water models. These scenarios, which are more ambitious than current plans, suggest that the region’s growing electricity demand could be predominantly met by renewable sources, with a need for diversification beyond hydropower. The transition away from fossil fuels could help these countries align with the Paris Agreement while yielding socio-economic and environmental benefits.
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