shloboe boe
Nqobile Tshili in PORT LOUIS, Mauritius
DEVELOPED countries should not pressure Zimbabwe and other African nations to abandon fossil fuels, as alternative energy sources are expensive and could hinder economic growth, according to Russian energy expert Dr Sergey Brilev.
This comes as environmentalists push for a transition to greener energy sources by 2030.
Zimbabwe is among the countries that have reservations about the hasty initiative and has invested more in thermal power, with the construction of Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8 stabilising electricity generation and supply.
The Government has also stated that it is researching to minimise carbon emissions at the country’s power stations.
Dr Brilev, who is president of the Global Energy Association, emphasised that the transition to greener energy is not a “one-size-fits-all” model.
What works for developed countries may not be suitable for African nations, and vice versa. He stressed the need for countries to balance their development interests with the transition to green energy.
Speaking at an international sustainable energy conference in Port Louis, Mauritius, yesterday, Dr Brilev noted that countries need to consider their unique circumstances when developing their energy mix.
For instance, Russia, he said, cannot exploit wind energy, while other countries can.
He noted that energy sources such as coal are viable and there might be a need to employ technologies that would reduce emissions.
He also highlighted the importance of considering the disposal of solar panels when they reach the end of their lifespan.
“This is a delicate balance that I was referring to: you can’t apply universal recipes; you have to look at the interests of people.
“If we talk about it in the North, for instance, we know it in Russia and also Canada knows that lithium is not the solution,” said Dr Brilev.
“So, why should we be coming to the South with things that are fashionable in the North and are not working and may make energy less affordable and less available.
“It is one of the reasons why we organise conferences like this so that we listen to each other and hear.
You can’t guarantee a sustainable and affordable energy supply without thinking of a viable mix.
“As of today, solar and wind got less but when you want to think of industrial development, fossil fuels at the moment are inevitable.”
He stated that most African countries were still poor to adequately finance the renewable energy transition agenda.
Dr Brilev’s sentiments were echoed by Dr Abel Didier Tella, director-general of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa.
With over 600 million people in the continent still lacking access to energy, Dr Tella emphasised the need for countries to exploit all available energy sources for development.
He said Dr Brilev’s sentiments are also in sync with the African Union Commission’s resolution that the continent needs to exploit all available energy sources for development.
“The African Union Commission stated very clearly that for the time being all African countries will be using available energy sources as far as it is used wisely. We cannot afford to say that more than 10 million tonnes of coal will just not be touched,” said Dr Tella.
“We have this abundance of fossil fuel. So, the real issue that needs to be answered is which kind of transition do we need to adopt because our population as a continent will be reaching two billion people, half of them under the age of 30 and half of them living in town and all these people will need reliable energy.”
Engineer Swinage Chikwedze, who works with a start-up renewable energy company in Zimbabwe, noted that energy deficits have created opportunities for the adoption of renewable energies in the country.
However, financial constraints remain a significant challenge to the successful implementation of renewable projects.
“We are trying to build a 50 megawatt solar farm, and have acquired all the necessary licences, but our limitation is now the finances. The solar farm will feed into the national grid and we’re trying to look for investors so that we can reach our financial closure,” she said.
“So, the initial high cost of investment is among the challenges we are experiencing at the moment.” The conference highlighted the need for collaboration between governments, the private sector, and development partners to develop a stable and sustainable energy source to drive continental growth.
As Dr Brilev aptly put it: “You can’t guarantee sustainable and affordable energy supply without thinking of a viable mix.”
Other speakers tackled the need for more collaboration between governments, the private sector and development partners to cultivate a stable and sustainable energy source to propel continental growth.
The conference, running under the theme “Regional to Global”, explored challenges and opportunities that exist in providing reliable energy in African countries considering their growing population and the need to industrialise.
It brought together experts from Russia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Kenya and Zimbabwe. —@nqotshili
