Issue #21. From Diesel to Renewables: Somalia Green Energy Association's (SOGEA) Vision for Somalia's Energy Future.

Somalia, a country that has grappled with decades of political instability and security challenges, is now looking towards a brighter future through the lens of renewable energy. 

Since the collapse of the central government in 1991, Somalia has been plagued by civil war, terrorism, and fragmented governance, which have severely hampered its development and infrastructure. 

The insurgency led by Al-Shabab continues to pose threats to the nation's stability, while the impacts of climate change further exacerbate the country's vulnerabilities. 

These multifaceted challenges have left Somalia with a fragmented and underdeveloped energy sector, relying heavily on imported fossil fuels and lacking a national power grid.

In the face of these adversities, the Somalia Green Energy Association (SOGEA) has emerged as a beacon of hope, aiming to propagate the conditions to harness the country's abundant renewable energy resources and transform its energy landscape. 

Formed in 2021, SOGEA is a group of 55 private companies, spearheading efforts to develop a national renewable energy grid that could not only address Somalia's pressing energy needs but also contribute to its economic recovery and climate resilience. 

“After three decades of war, most of the services that we take for granted in other countries do not exist in Somalia.” says Ismail Muyinda, the head of International Relations and Advocacy at SOGEA. “For example, most countries have a government body responsible for generating and distributing electricity across the country, but this isn't the case in Somalia.”

This has left Somalia's national grid in the private hands. “Somalia doesn't have so many rivers to generate hydro-electricity, so they rely a lot on diesel generators set up by wealthy Somalis who then charge others to use them. 90% of electricity used in Somalia currently is from diesel generators with just 10% from renewable sources.”  

But diesel generators are harmful to the environment due to their emissions of particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), and other pollutants. PM and NOx contribute to air pollution, climate change, and health issues like respiratory illnesses, while CO2 is a greenhouse gas that exacerbates global warming. 

Diesel generators also produce noise pollution and pose risks like carbon monoxide poisoning if used improperly. Although modern technologies, such as ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) and emission control systems, have reduced these impacts significantly, diesel generators remain less environmentally friendly compared to alternatives like solar or natural gas systems. 

However, Somalia's wind and solar energy potential is among the highest in Africa, driven by its geographical and climatic advantages. The country’s 3,300 km coastline, the longest in mainland Africa, plays a critical role in creating consistent and strong wind regimes, especially in coastal areas. 

Studies estimate Somalia's onshore wind capacity at 30,000 to 110,000 MW, making it one of the most promising regions globally for wind power. 

Also, around 85% of the country is suitable for wind energy production, with areas like Somaliland showing high annual power densities. Additionally, Somalia's location near the equator ensures abundant solar resources, receiving approximately 3,000 hours of sunlight annually and solar radiation levels of 5-7 kWh per square meter daily. These factors make Somalia ideal for large-scale renewable energy projects.

The combination of steady coastal winds and high solar irradiation positions Somalia as a potential leader in renewable energy development. Wind turbines along its coastline could harness the consistent breezes, while solar farms inland could capitalize on the intense sunlight. 

Transitioning to these renewable sources could address Somalia's reliance on expensive imported diesel and reduce electricity costs, which are among the highest globally per capita. 

However, challenges such as limited infrastructure, financing gaps, and political instability hinder progress. 

“For over 20 years, Somalia had no recognized government. All the infrastructure that existed before 1990 was virtually destroyed, so the current government had to start from scratch.” 

It set up the National Electricity Authority (NEA) in 2023, a regulatory body overseeing the electricity sector but still lacks resources to set a national provider. 

Efforts are underway, to improve the electricity situation across the country. The World Bank has invested over $100m to set up solar mini grids in vital public infrastructure like schools and hospitals in partnership with the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources. 

SOGEA has a vital role to play in Somalia's energy transition. “We are not just an advocacy group for renewable energy, but also play an active role in linking renewable energy investors with Somalia’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources or the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change for collaboration”. 

He adds, “ We also educate people on renewable energy. Once people know the positives of renewable energy, it creates demand. We then lobby for funding to create renewable energy projects that can meet such demand.”

SOGEA also lobbied for Somalia to be admitted to the Climate Parliament. The Climate Parliament, an international network of legislators, mobilizes climate finance through its Green Fund to accelerate renewable energy transitions, and Somalia's potential admission could enhance its legislative capacity to secure green investments, mitigate climate risks, and promote sustainable development. 

Less than a month ago, SOGEA also joined the Global Solar Council (GSC), an international trade association founded in 2015 during COP21 to unify the solar power industry, advocate for transformative policies, and accelerate the global adoption of solar energy through collaboration, education, and capacity building.

SOGEA's recent membership in the GSC is significant as it positions Somalia to benefit from global expertise, financing opportunities, and policy frameworks that can boost its renewable energy sector as Ismail explains. “Joining the GSC has been a game changer. We are already receiving inquiries from people who are interested in investing in Somalia’s energy sector. This wouldn't have been possible without this exposure and being in these rooms for such conversations.” 

Despite SOGEA's efforts to attract international investors to Somalia's nascent renewable energy sector, the country's reputation for instability persists. Ismail offers a firsthand assessment of the situation on the ground, highlighting the challenges posed by ongoing security concerns and the need for enhanced stability to unlock the sector's full potential. 

“It is safe to invest in Somalia right now. The terrorist organization, Al Shabab has largely been neutralized. Of Course, there are a few remnants of Al Shabab, but you can go a full year without an attack in the city and most of the neighbouring states. The UN peacekeeping force has done a tremendous job.” 

He compares Somalia’s current predicament to what Uganda was at the height of the LRA insurgency. “People used to think Uganda, as a country, was unsafe because of the LRA, when in reality, most of the country was safe except for a few pockets in Northern Uganda. This is the same with Somalia right now.”  

“You can establish power plants, mini-grids, and other infrastructure without concerns about insecurity, so we invite investors to seize the opportunities in Somalia. The demand for electricity is also increasing due to the stability, and thus, the opportunity is immense.” concludes Ismail. 

However, SOGEA faces some challenges. “As an organization, we face financial constraints since we rely solely on support from our members. This limited funding restricts our ability to fully realize our potential and implement the initiatives we envision because we have few employees and also lack in some technical aspects.We welcome the opportunity to collaborate with funding partners and invite them to join us in supporting our initiative”.