Mapping the Risk Posed to Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems by Uncontrolled Access to Photovoltaic Water Pumping in Sub-Saharan Africa

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry under review. Core Insights - Photovoltaic-powered groundwater pumping presents a transformative solution for water services in underserved areas of Sub-Saharan Africa, but without proper regulation, it risks overexploiting groundwater resources, threatening groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) [4][41] - The study indicates that 92% of Sub-Saharan Africa's GDEs are at risk of overexploitation if photovoltaic water pumping is implemented without adequate controls, particularly in Southern and Eastern Africa [4][41] - Regions like southern Nigeria and South Sudan are identified as priorities for potential photovoltaic water pumping system investments due to their higher groundwater development needs and lower risks to GDEs [4][41] Summary by Sections Introduction - Access to electricity and clean water are critical development priorities in Sub-Saharan Africa, where 600 million people lack electricity and 400 million lack safely managed drinking water [8] - The advancement of photovoltaic technologies has lowered costs, enabling potential expansion of solar pumping for irrigation [8] Data - The study utilizes various datasets, including global horizontal irradiance, static water level, aquifer transmissivity, groundwater storage, population density, and renewable groundwater resources to assess risks to GDEs [15][19] Methodology - The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is employed to evaluate the risk of overexploitation of GDEs due to uncontrolled access to groundwater through photovoltaic pumping [19][21] Results - The analysis reveals that 92% of GDEs are at risk of overexploitation, with significant risks identified in western South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Niger, and Somalia [27][30] - The findings highlight the need for targeted investments and close monitoring in regions with high risks to GDEs, such as Namibia and South Africa, while prioritizing areas with high groundwater development needs and lower risks [31][41] Policy Implications - The report emphasizes the importance of sustainable groundwater management and the need for enforceable policies to protect GDEs from the adverse effects of photovoltaic water pumping [40][41] - It suggests that better mapping and monitoring of GDEs are essential for understanding their value and ensuring their protection [40][41] Conclusion - The study underscores the necessity for careful planning and regulation in the deployment of photovoltaic water pumping systems to mitigate risks to GDEs while addressing the urgent need for water access in Sub-Saharan Africa [41][42]