Solar demand prompts calls for local manufacturing
China’s supply chain dominance means local manufacturing ambitions could take years to materialize, say energy analysts.
Solar power demand in Africa's top economies is prompting governments to bolster local manufacturing of panel components. However, China's grip on the supply chain may delay these efforts, according to energy analysts speaking to the Associated Press. Solar adoption has rapidly grown in South Africa and Nigeria, as residents and firms seek alternatives to unstable state-run electricity grids.
Both nations are working on establishing domestic production, though industrial capacity remains constrained, with most activity limited to assembly. China presently dominates Africa's solar market, supplying panels, photovoltaic cells, inverters, and batteries. Yet, trade tensions between Washington and Beijing could open new opportunities: US tariffs on Chinese imports of polysilicon, a key solar panel ingredient, may prompt some manufacturing to relocate to Africa. Ethiopia could potentially benefit from this scenario, the analysts suggested.
Written by urgent.news from Semafor's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
