ENERGY OF THE FUTURE: RENEWABLE ENERGY

Investing in renewables is something that should be given an extra weight across the globe for development that safeguards Mother Nature.

Fossil fuels, which has been the primary source of energy, should be brought to a halt. It has affected the global economy and proved detrimental to the wellbeing of the environment – heating up the planet earth.

Africa, my home continent, is associated with low development and under investment. I believe the continent can rapidly accelerate its infrastructure development and advancement by going green.

Most African countries have been unable to deliver regularly occurring power access. The economic model inherited from the colonizers has failed many years after independence.

My one trusted friend from Nigeria confirms to me that despite his country extracting oil reserves in enormous volumes, they still grapple with energy challenges.

Another one from South Africa, informs me that his country relies on coal-fired power plants, they still experience blackouts even after exploiting its vast coal deposits.

Shifts to and in wind powering decentralized technologies and the light of the sun - solar - illuminating thousands of rural areas and remote places that would in any other case have remained in darkness in all likelihood for some other century.

More than half of the African populace does not have electricity. Furthermore, greening the national pores by adding renewable energy to the mix has been slow, mostly due to lack of investment.

 

The devastating effect of Cyclone Freddy in Malawi. PHOTO COURTESY: Temwanani Mweso

The Green Agenda

Our able leaders of Africa including captains of industry and the African Union, are capable and able to push - give a big push - for a green agenda as the solution to our challenges.

The leaders should find it useful to develop a binding green policy framework guiding all the 55 member states. I believe this is necessary in the continent’s transition to a clean energy future.

Giving consideration and priority to renewable energy as well as climate change topics taking centre stage in discussions and in the state meetings of AU heads. Pan-African engagements concerning these issues need also to be given a second thought because little is done outside global conferences on climate change.

There are conflicting and contrary opinions from a section of leaders who want to serve their selfish political interests as foreign gas and oil companies, thus investing in fossil fuels, especially natural gas. The desire driven to make billions as profits and benefits at the expense of poor African communities.

This is disturbing.

Our African leaders should take a firm stand and believe in it while seizing vast opportunities for the benefit of our continent and become energy secure. The world is transitioning to clean energy; we should not be left behind.

The African continent has more clean energy resources than any other continent on earth.

Africa’s potential wind resources are enough to increase the continent’s energy demand by 250 times.

It would be in order for an AU-led Africa Climate Summit. We can make it happen!

AU has been in existence for over 20 years and has launched several programs focused on sustainability. Implementing them is the problem.

The Green Recovery Action Plan - launched in 2021 by AU - targets five areas, climate finance, renewable resources, nature-based solutions and biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and ultimately, green and resilient cities. Unfortunately, this blueprint remains ‘relevant’ on paper.

My friend Vianney M. Ngabo from DRC acquainted me with another AU’s flagship mega hydroelectric dam – Grand Inga Dam.

This dam, as a power station, will solve the current electricity shortage in sub-Saharan Africa and also create and provision of jobs and opportunities, if construction goes according to plan. Maybe if reconsidered in future.

Have you heard of Alliance for Green Infrastructure in Africa (AGIA) that brought together the AU, African Development Bank Group and Africa50? I guess if you followed the COP27 discussions, you could have heard about the massive investment package in green infrastructure projects on the Africa continent.

Networking

Linking electricity supplies, African countries will connect individual electricity markets to a larger regional market network where buying and selling takes place simultaneously. Thus, an integrated economy will benefit from energy security and resilience through access to a variety of green energy sources and supplies.

Invest in renewable energy, develop the African continent! 

Quote Of The Week

"Environmentally friendly cars will soon cease to be an option ... they will become a necessity." - Fujio Cho, Honorary Chairman of Toyota Motors

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