INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue III, March 2025

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Integrating Tidal Energy into Sub-Saharan Africa’s Power Mix: A

Strategic Framework for Renewable Energy Expansion

1

Adebayo Adeyinka Victor.,

2

DOI : https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2025.14030005

Received: 15 March 2025; Accepted: 19 March 2025; Published: 28 March 2025

Abstract: Sub-Saharan Africa grapples with severe energy poverty, with around 600 million people without reliable electricity.

Despite the region's significant renewable energy potential, tidal energy stands out as a promising yet underutilized avenue for

diversifying the energy mix and fostering sustainable development. This study explores the feasibility of incorporating tidal

energy into Sub-Saharan Africa's power framework, evaluating its implementation's technical, environmental, and economic

hurdles. The findings suggest that while tidal energy offers a consistent and trustworthy source of renewable electricity, its

expansion is hindered by infrastructural challenges, high initial costs, and regulatory ambiguities. To support the effective

integration of tidal energy, a strategic framework is suggested, concentrating on four essential elements: policy and governance,

to provide stable regulatory contexts and investment incentives; infrastructure development, to improve grid connectivity and

cooperation to promote sustainable energy solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa.

I. Introduction

With its persistent energy poverty challenges, Sub-Saharan Africa needs a strategic approach to expand renewable energy

development and introduce tidal energy generation efficiently. The Indian Ocean's wave and tidal energy potential offer a unique

opportunity to combat energy poverty while driving economic development. Submarine energy generation from tidal resources

can supplement planned terrestrial and solar projects cost-effectively. A strategic approach is necessary to expand renewable

energy development and introduce tidal energy generation efficiently. Around 600 million people, or 70 million households, in

Sub-Saharan Africa, lack access to a central electricity grid. Due to economic, environmental, and political constraints, existing

technologies have struggled to bridge this gap. However, renewable energy remains a promising long-term solution, though

significant efficiency and cost improvements are required. Offshore wave and tidal energy have garnered global interest. These

This growth is driven by population expansion, economic development, and industrialisation. The energy mix is shifting, with

coal remaining dominant, increasing from 27% in 2012 to 37% in 2040 [5]. Hydropower, once the most significant contributor at

58%, is expected to decline to 30% due to climate variability [6]. Gas is projected to rise significantly from 9% to 26%, providing

a flexible alternative to coal and hydro [7]. Oil’s share remains at 4%, while renewables, including solar, wind, biomass, and CSP,

are expected to grow to around 20% [8]. Nuclear power remains minor due to high costs and regulatory challenges [9]. These

shifts highlight the need for investments in infrastructure, grid modernisation, and policy support to balance energy security and

sustainability [10].

Figure 1: Projected Electricity Generation by Fuel in Sub-Saharan Africa (2040)

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue III, March 2025

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II. Overview of Tidal Energy

variability associated with wind and sunlight. Consequently, it facilitates a quantifiable long-term yield [6]. The technology for

generating tidal energy can be classified into two primary forms: tidal stream generators and barrages. Tidal streams function

similarly to underwater wind turbines, harnessing the flow of tidal currents to rotate the turbine blades, producing electricity [7].

On the other hand, tidal barrages are relatively more intricate systems. A barrage operates as a significant dam built across an

estuarine river, integrating hydro turbines within its structure. As the tide rises, the potential energy of the water also increases,

leading to the development of a substantial head differential. This head pressure propels water through the turbines, generating

electricity [8]. Remarkably, a tidal barrage can generate power during the flood and ebb tides, collectively occurring up to four

times daily. This characteristic enhances its ability to generate electricity on demand [4]. Table 1 provides a concise and

structured summary of the key elements required for integrating tidal energy into Sub-Saharan Africa.

Table 1: Overview of Tidal Energy Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa

Numerous advantages arise from the exploitation of tidal energy. Tidal flows represent one of the most predictable and reliable

renewable energy sources today. The regularity and foreseen patterns of the tides allow for accurate forecasting regarding the

resource's availability and the practical estimation of the tidal energy that can be extracted [5]. Another benefit is that tidal flows

pursuit of sustainable

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,

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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue III, March 2025

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III. Renewable Energy Landscape in Sub-Saharan Africa

regularly prolonged energy blackouts. Nearly 600 million people in the region remain unconnected to an energy grid [10]. Access

to sustainable energy services is essential for social and economic progress in Africa, yet around two-thirds of Africans still rely

on bioenergy for heating and cooking [11]. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most promising regions for renewable energy

initiatives. The geographic, climate, and environmental conditions in Sub-Saharan Africa are well-suited to the development of

renewable energy sources.

The Renewable Energy Policy Initiative aims to support the preparation and development of renewable projects. There remains

significant underdevelopment of commercial low-carbon energy sources, indicating that vast untapped investment opportunities

exist in the sector [10]. Sub-Saharan African countries often receive international support in developing renewable technologies

to enhance energy security, increase energy access, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions [11]. Various policy and regulatory

frameworks have been established to support the region's expansion of renewable energy technologies. Policies, strategies,

financial incentives, and the removal of barriers have been implemented to stimulate the renewable energy market. However, the

absence of supportive policy frameworks, economic constraints, insufficient grid infrastructure, poor management and

operational capabilities, a general lack of awareness, and a low capacity to manage, develop, and operate renewable sources

deployment of renewable energy technologies. Local ownership and stakeholder participation ensure genuine benefits to the

community and maximise the cumulative socioeconomic benefits of renewable project development [11]. Nevertheless, progress

towards renewable energy technologies in Sub-Saharan Africa has been limited. Political instability, inadequate regulatory

In the context of Sub-Saharan African countries, the potential for harnessing tidal energy generation is currently constrained,

primarily limited to regions along the West Coast, where prominently noticeable tidal ranges can be found [12]. Consequently, a

thorough and comprehensive review of existing developments in this sector and an analysis of the technical feasibility of tidal

energy conversion along these coastlines is crucial [13].

At this juncture, significant limitations arise from insufficient dissemination of critical information and an alarming shortage of

technological expertise within the tidal energy sector [14]. These prevailing factors considerably hinder the enthusiasm and

interest in integrating tidal energy solutions into the broader energy mix. Therefore, it becomes increasingly evident that

possessing proper and thorough knowledge is crucial to accurately appraise the viability of previously proposed projects to

develop tidal energy applications [15]. This wealth of knowledge will, in turn, aid in creating a comprehensive overview of the

myriad challenges posed by existing infrastructure and the significant technical limitations that must be addressed to effectively

an objective and judicious overview of their exploitation is necessary. This assessment must diligently balance the urgent and

growing need for increased renewable energy production with the imperative of minimising any adverse impacts on local

ecosystems and environments [15]. An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) –-based approach for evaluating the

environmental repercussions of previously proposed tidal energy projects brings forth a range of socioeconomic and health

concerns that must not be overlooked in the planning and execution stages [12].

Economic

thoroughly assess the economic viability of extracting and harvesting local tidal resources [13]. Before such potentially low-

technology readiness level (TRL) projects can be realistically considered for implementation within the energetic framework of

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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue III, March 2025

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these regions, the pressing question of whether the economic advantages of such installations will ultimately outweigh the

associated costs must be comprehensively answered [14]. Ensuring an objective economic assessment allows all stakeholders to

make informed decisions grounded in economic reality [15]. This evaluation is critical for determining whether tidal energy

relatively weak traditional power generation infrastructure. In this context, tidal stream power plants could complement existing

infrastructure in some locations and be a foundational energy source in others. Policy, technology, and community engagement

are necessary to ensure optimal results [17]. The first component of the strategic framework for tidal energy development in

Africa involves creating conditions conducive to investment. Stable and predictable governing conditions facilitate informed

investment decisions. This requires support for both tidal energy specifically—through a consistent policy framework—and

renewable energy more generally, including tariff incentives [16]. A favourable investment environment must offer a competitive

return on investment to attract private and institutional investors.

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VI. Conclusion and Recommendations

sustainable prosperity. The multi-dimensional strategic framework proposed herein offers a comprehensive and innovative

approach to advancing tidal energy. It aims to guide policymakers, stakeholders, and researchers in prioritizing resource

allocation, maximizing synergies, and preventing conflicts as they work together to promote inclusive and sustainable Blue

energies. Several practical and actionable recommendations are put forward to support this strategic framework's tangible and

systematic application. Primarily, a network approach is recommended to unite various national, regional, and international