Uganda charcoal ban ignites transition debate
2/10/2023: The Ugandan government's ban of commercial charcoal, whose burning releases high levels of carbon and other pollutants, has largely been welcomed by environmentalists. However, the policy has also highlighted the complexities of transitioning from dirty energies to cleaner sources. Only 45% of Ugandans, as of 2020, were connected to the domestic grid.
Source: African Arguments
Fixing Africa’s electricity woes needs more than power
2/8/2023: The total number of people without access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa stayed roughly the same in 2021 as in 2011, according to the latest energy progress report published by a group of international agencies. More than four out of five people living in rural areas remain without power.
Source: DW
Is India’s renewable energy push a threat to food security?
14/6/2023: India needs to double its electricity requirements by 2030 to fulfill its growing demand but targets for renewable energy may come at the cost of agricultural land being converted into solar farms. Consultation standards are poor and there are at least 12 ongoing conflicts between local communities and solar companies across eight states in India.
Source: Devex
World Bank backs controversial mega dam in Mozambique
6/3/2023: The government of Mozambique has touted the Mphanda Nkuwa dam as key to the southern African nation reaching its goal of universal energy access by 2030. Environmental groups say the dam threatens to negatively impact local communities and ecosystems.
Source: Climate Home News
A manifesto for an ecosocial energy transition from the South
3/3/2023: Movements from the Global South believe that world economic priorities put pressure on their countries to yield up rare minerals and land to deliver renewable energy. They propose an alternative energy transition that combines social justice with environmental justice.
Source: African Arguments
New initiative to finance minigrids in over 20 African countries
15/11/2022: Launched at COP27, the Africa Minigrids Program aims to mobilise $65 billion in new investments to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy minigrids in 21 countries. Half of the people living in sub-Saharan Africa lack access to electricity.
Source: UN Development Programme
Is natural gas the solution to energy for all in Africa?
10/11/2022: The number of people without electricity in sub-Saharan Africa is rising, almost back to its 2013 peak. The fall out from the Ukraine war has encouraged African governments to boost investment in gas, despite the consequences for climate change.
Source: Devex
Africa can and must be a leader in clean energy
4/10/22: Kenya's new president calls on African states to accelerate the transition to renewable energy, with the aim of doubling Africa’s installed energy capacity by 2030. Almost half of Africa’s people remain underserved by fossil fuel power.
Source: The Guardian
Nigeria plans gas-led transition to full energy access
1/9/2022: Nigeria is pitching for $10 billion from international funders to kickstart an energy plan to provide electricity access to an estimated 90 million people. The plan relies on gas as a transition fuel, to the concern of some climate campaigners.
Source: Climate Home News
African climate diplomats reject pro-gas stance for COP27
4/8/2022: The executive council of the African Union has proposed that the continent should promote gas as a bridge fuel alongside development of renewable energy. They argue that 570 million people in Africa will otherwise remain without access to modern energy by 2030. Negotiators have quashed a proposal as too controversial.
Source: Climate Home News