With the urgent need for transitioning to renewable energy sources becoming more apparent, Africa is taking the lead in this monumental shift. The benefits of renewable energy in combating climate change and ensuring sustainable development are widely acknowledged, but there is another sector that stands to benefit from this transition: the entertainment industry.
In recent years, Africa’s entertainment industry has experienced significant growth, driven by a burgeoning population, increased urbanization, and a growing middle class. However, this growth has been accompanied by challenges, particularly in the realm of energy access and reliability.
Many entertainment venues, from theaters to music festivals, heavily rely on fossil fuels for electricity generation, leading to high operating costs, environmental degradation, and unreliable power supply. But innovative solutions are emerging across the continent to power Africa’s entertainment industry sustainably, with solar energy presenting immense promise.
Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, with abundant sunlight throughout the year, offer a reliable and cost-effective means of generating electricity for entertainment venues, even in remote areas with limited grid access. UK-based music collective Massive Attack is taking a big step in this direction by planning an August 24 festival in Bristol powered entirely by renewables: solar energy and battery power.
The Act 1.5 festival is part of Massive Attack’s partnership with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research to make live music events more sustainable by lowering emissions. The festival organizers are vetting vendors, prioritizing those that don’t serve meat and source produce locally, with plans to establish a climate-resilient woodland plantation.
This initiative aims to set a precedent for eco-friendly live music events, focusing on reducing primary emissions and fan travel. Filmmaker Mark Donne highlighted the significant portion of event emissions that come from fan travel and the event’s efforts to address it by incentivizing train travel, providing electric buses, and bike parking.
Global Citizen, another organizer, hosts one of the biggest musical concerts globally, bringing together some of the world’s most sought-after singers on one stage. But beyond music, the event serves as a platform to assemble thousands of people to take action toward eliminating extreme poverty, ensuring equity, and saving the planet.
Ghanaian musician Worlasi is also making a significant impact by holding events like ‘Giving Shade’ that support smart forest management and renewable energy sources. This not only meets growing consumer demand for socially and environmentally responsible entertainment but also raises awareness about renewable energy and climate change.
While the adoption of renewable energy technology in the entertainment industry is advancing rapidly, overcoming barriers such as upfront costs, lack of financing mechanisms, and inadequate infrastructure is crucial. Collaboration between policymakers and industry stakeholders is essential to create an enabling environment for renewable energy investment and innovation.
The parallels between renewable energy and the entertainment industry in Africa are striking, representing untapped potential for driving economic growth, promoting sustainability, and fostering cultural expression. By embracing renewable energy solutions, Africa’s entertainment industry can reduce its carbon footprint and catalyze a new era of creativity, resilience, and inclusivity.
