New paper highlights urgent need to address “Zombie Energy Systems” in Africa’s energy transition
A new paper published in Environmental Research: Energy identifies “Zombie Energy Systems” (ZES) as a critical barrier to Africa’s energy transition. ZES are outdated, inefficient, and environmentally harmful energy systems, including aging coal and natural gas power plants, obsolete hydro-electric dams, and poorly maintained transmission grids, as well as second-hand appliances and vehicles. These systems persist despite their detrimental impact on progress, draining resources and stalling economic and climate goals.
“Zombie Energy Systems are a hidden bottleneck on Africa’s energy progress, wasting financial and energy resources, contributing to energy poverty, and misaligning with climate and development goals,” said Michael Dioha, Senior Energy Researcher at Clean Air Task Force (CATF). “For the energy transformation in Africa to succeed, we need to phase out these inefficient systems, modernize existing infrastructure, and mobilize the resources necessary for restoring or repurposing Zombie Energy Systems.”
Transmission and distribution losses across African countries are some of the highest globally, with only a few countries, such as Botswana, Lesotho, and Mauritius, maintaining losses at 10% or less. In contrast, losses in 36 other countries range from 11% to 48%, creating substantial financial burdens for utilities. These inefficiencies, combined with non-technical losses like unpaid utility bills by state agencies, generate unsustainable debts that hinder investment in infrastructure upgrades and perpetuate ZES.
The paper identifies several examples of ZES across the continent, illustrating their impact on energy access, economic growth, and greenhouse gas emissions. Examples include:
- Kariba Dam (Zambia and Zimbabwe): A colonial-era hydropower project shared by Zambia and Zimbabwe, has become inefficient and vulnerable due to inadequate maintenance, outdated technology, and limited resources. Its deterioration, compounded by recent droughts, highlights how reliance on aging and climate-sensitive infrastructure perpetuates energy challenges in Africa.
- Nigeria’s Power Grid: A system where misaligned planning and inadequate transmission capacity perpetuate energy shortfalls. Despite having an installed electricity generation capacity of approximately 16 GW, the transmission system in Nigeria can only effectively transmit around 7.5 GW of power. Between January 2010 and June 2022, Nigeria experienced 222 instances of partial or complete grid collapses.
- South Africa’s Coal Plants: Aging, poorly maintained coal-powered plants are a central driver of the country’s recurring load-shedding crises, with outages lasting 2 to 12 hours daily for 332 days in 2023. These facilities, responsible for approximately 85% of South Africa’s coal-powered electricity, suffer from significant operational inefficiencies. Eskom, the state-owned utility generating 95% of the country’s electricity, has seen its energy availability factor decline sharply from 75% in 2014 to 58% in 2023.
“Our paper highlights the critical need for comprehensive assessments to identify and prioritize Zombie Energy Systems for decommissioning or modernization,” said Prudence Dato, Lead Energy Economist at CATF. “Addressing these outdated systems is a challenging and resource-intensive process, requiring thorough evaluations, significant repairs, and overcoming complex bureaucratic and political barriers. While new projects may seem more straightforward and attractive to international donors, the success of Africa’s energy transition depends on strategic investments in grid modernization, renewable energy, and capacity building. Failing to address Zombie Energy Systems will only drain resources, deepen energy poverty, and hinder the continent’s economic growth.”
To address ZES, the paper recommends the following among others:
- Strengthening Regulatory Frameworks: Establishing robust oversight to ensure accountability, operational efficiency, and the integration of modern energy technologies.
- Energy Efficiency Initiatives: Promoting widespread adoption of efficient appliances, optimizing industrial processes, and implementing stringent building codes to reduce energy waste.
- Innovative Financing Mechanisms: Mobilizing investment through tools like green bonds, concessional loans, and public-private partnerships to support grid modernization and renewable energy deployment.
As Africa’s population and energy demand continue to rise, the paper emphasizes the urgent need to address ZES to prevent significant delays and setbacks in achieving reliable, sustainable, and equitable energy systems. The recommendations are not exhaustive, and no single approach fits the diverse needs of the entire continent. While these suggestions offer broad guidance, each African country must develop a tailored strategy for addressing ZES, rooted in its unique context and challenges.
Learn more about CATF’s Energy and Climate Innovation – Africa program.
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