Energy Sector - The Borgen Project

Energy Use in Sub-Saharan Africa

Energy demand is estimated to increase by 85 percent in Africa between 2010 and 2040. To compensate for growing infrastructure and population, the cheapest and most environmentally-friendly energy sources are in high demand as well. Countries within sub-Saharan Africa have taken numerous measures to improve affordable living through receiving aid and implementing programs to promote efficient energy use. However, challenges hinder the implementation of efficient energy use in these countries. For example, the trained workforce that could take on massive energy projects is very small. There is also very minimal awareness of the benefits of efficient energy use so many people prefer to stick to traditional sources. Governments and global organizations are combating these challenges as they work to advance energy efficiency and indirectly reduce poverty and over-spending in sub-Saharan Africa.

Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies Training Week

The International Energy Agency and the Department of Energy of South Africa hosted the very first Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies (E4) Training Week for sub-Saharan Africa in Pretoria, South Africa from Oct. 14 to Oct. 17, 2019. The objective of the training was to educate junior policymakers from all over sub-Saharan Africa to model future politicians into environmental activists. The week included courses on the ability of energy-efficient sources to reduce extra expenses and, therefore, improve living conditions. The courses taught participants about energy efficiency policy in buildings, appliances, equipment, industry, cities and indicators and evaluation. E4 Training Week also made a key point to encourage women to apply for the program.

Numerous organizations supported the E4 Training Week, including Global Environment Fund (GEF), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), East African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (EACREEE) and SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE).

The Domestic Energy and Rural Access to Basic Sources Project

The World Bank’s Domestic Energy and Rural Access to Basic Sources Project (PEDASB) worked to install a 52-kilowatt plant in Zantiébougou, south of Bamako in the Sikasso region. The plant has provided electricity to 765 people and allows women to carry out other economic activities and trades as they are no longer concerned about gathering fuel, such as wood. PEDASB also implemented a hybrid electricity system that combines solar photovoltaic and diesel power in Niena. The system improved the quality of health care in local clinics and increased school performance in students. This energy sector as a whole is contributing to the economy of sub-Saharan Africa and increasing the wealth of its people.

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

Ethiopia’s government is taking the initiative to improve efficient energy use. Through a collaboration with the World Bank Project, the Ethiopian government introduced compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFL), which help rural families save money. 80 fewer megawatts of electricity is used by distributing 2.5 million CFL bulbs, which quantifies as $100 million saved. Through a $4 million investment, 5 million CFL bulbs were distributed all over the country. Households under the poverty line were able to reduce their energy usage by 55 percent which significantly cut utility costs for families. Beyond lightbulbs, 2.5 million efficient cookstoves were distributed in Ethiopia, reducing 40 to 60 percent of wood fuel. This not only helps the environment but also boosts families’ lifestyles all over the country.

The Electrify Africa Act

In 2016, President Barack Obama signed the Electrify Africa Act (S.2152) into law. The Electrify Africa Act ensures that the Obama Administration’s Power Africa initiative remains in effect, providing millions of sub-Saharan Africans with access to electricity which in turn, increases economic growth and development.

So far, the Electrify Africa Act is a great success. As of January 2019, Power Africa, with the support of the Electrify Africa Act, achieved the following results in sub-Saharan Africa:

20.5 billion invested in Power Africa transactions

58,552,435 beneficiaries gaining access to electricity

10,095 megawatts (MW) reaching financial close

2,652 MW moved from financial close to operation

In conclusion, sub-Saharan countries are breaking the cycle of poverty through creatively implementing efficient energy sources. From educating young policymakers to governments distributing free equipment and implementing laws, numerous countries are able to benefit from efficient energy use in sub-Saharan Africa.

– Haarika Gurivireddygari
Photo: Flickr

In the future, this era may be considered the era of development. With many countries moving into higher income brackets, growing at higher rates and shifting toward betterment for all, the world has yet to see what the ultimate result of these tumultuous times is. Trinidad and Tobago is an example of a country that has developed significantly within the past few years.

Trinidad and Tobago sits in the waters of the Caribbean. This nation is composed of two islands that formerly belonged to the Spanish, but they won independence in 1962. The country has a strong petroleum industry that relies on the extraction of oil and natural gas.

Trinidad and Tobago‘s GDP grew between 2000 and 2016, from approximately $8 billion to $20 billion, and its GDP per capita is over $17,000. Because of the tremendous growth in the 2000’s, Trinidad and Tobago is considered a middle-income country. They also have a high Human Development Index (HDI), meaning that their quality of life has increased—they now rank 65th out of 188 countries.

While unemployment currently hovers around 4 percent, the Trinidad and Tobago poverty rate sits at 20 percent. The energy sector is very profitable; however, the rest of the economy has not achieved the same rate of success. The split between the energy sector and the rest of the economy has created a sort of working poor that contributes to the Trinidad and Tobago poverty rate.

As for the causes of this growth, most attribute Trinidad and Tobago’s success to the growth of the energy sector.

With its friendly policies towards the energy sector and foreign investors, the government has encouraged the growth that gave Trinidad and Tobago its economic status. In addition, after the country hosted the 2006 World Cup, it saw major economic growth due to increased visibility and tourism.

However, translating this wealth to the rest of the country may be a challenge. The government has instituted a program called the National Social Development Program (NSDP) to help those who live in poverty, and also focuses on the first Sustainable Development Goal—no poverty.

The Trinidad and Tobago poverty rate is an important factor in understanding the economy’s growth in the energy sector, and what that growth has meant for the rest of the country as a whole. Trinidad and Tobago’s economic growth has helped increase its quality of life and the well-being of its citizens. Overall, the developments the country has made has helped the entire world in the fight against poverty.

– Selasi Amoani

Photo: Flickr

Posts

Energy Use in Sub-Saharan Africa

Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies Training Week

The Domestic Energy and Rural Access to Basic Sources Project

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

The Electrify Africa Act

-The Huffington Post

Inside The Borgen Project

Get Smarter

Ways to Help

Tag Archive for: Energy Sector

Posts

Energy Efficiency in Emerging Economies Training Week

The Domestic Energy and Rural Access to Basic Sources Project

Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs

The Electrify Africa Act

-The Huffington Post

Inside The Borgen Project

Get Smarter

Ways to Help