In March 2012 ANDRITZ HYDRO - ANDRITZ Vertical volute pumps

08 HYDRONEWS Markets
Africa
The unequaled passion of ANDRITZ HYDRO
▲ View of Drakensberg, South Africa
With major rivers such as the
Nile, the Congo, the Niger,
the Zambezi and the
Orange as well as other innumerable
watercourses and lakes, Africa
is blessed with abundant hydrological
resources that have historically
provided the economic basis for
the region's societies. Over the
past decades, the importance of
Africa’s rivers has been complemented
by their role in the produc-
▼ Ruzizi I powerhouse, Democratic Republic of Congo
tion of hydroelectric power. In terms
of hydropower potential, Africa
boasts enormous wealth. With an
economically feasible hydropower
potential of around 780,000 GWh,
Africa holds 9% of the world’s total.
The utilization rate of this potential,
however, is the lowest of all continents.
Despite its enormous hydropower potential,
the continent lags behind when
it comes to full utilization of its hydrological
resources. Electrifi cation levels
remain a source of concern, as around
70% of the population (and 85% in rural
areas) of the Sub-Saharan region has
no access to electricity – the highest
levels in the world. Out of the 1.3 billion
people that lack access to electricity
globally, almost 600 million live in Sub-
Sahara Africa – making access to electricity
one of the most critical issues in
Africa. This alarmingly poor record in
electrifi cation constrains African societies
in many ways – limiting economic
growth, infl uencing the quality of life and
hampering development. Major macroeconomic
indicators such as high economic
growth rates, a projected strong
increase in energy demand and the
doubling of Africa’s population by 2050
highlight the need to unlock Africa’s hydropower
potential more urgently than
ever.
ANDRITZ HYDRO – with a passion
for Africa
For ANDRITZ HYDRO, a contribution to
Africa’s efforts to maximize the utilization
of its hydropower potential is
a clearly stated goal. With more than