Africa Gears Up Energy Revolution

“We can no longer tinker about the edges. We can no longer continue feeding our addiction to fossil fuels as if there were no tomorrow. For there will be no tomorrow. As a matter of urgency we must begin a global transition to a new safe energy economy. This requires fundamentally rethinking our economicsystems, to put them on a sustainable and more equitable footing. ”Desmond Tutu, Human Rights activist and Nobel Prize winner.

Africa’s energy challenge requires more power

Africa confronts an enormous energy challenge. Africa’s growing population and economic progress has elevated the energy demands posing an uphill challenge for the continent. To meet its energy needs, a significant increase in the supply of energy with a contribution from all energy forms must be made. Sustainable energy development is certainly a shot to pursue for a long term opulence. All possible efforts should be made to build the energy systems needed to sustain growth, create employment,uplift the economy and eradicate poverty. With continuously deteriorating climate there is a need to redefine the relationship between development and energy. Fortunately, Africa is richly endowed with renewable energy sources, and the time is ripe for an accurate planning to ensure the right mix of energy. Decisions made today will enhance the continent’s energy stock in the coming years.

The world is now accepting and welcoming modern renewable energy technologies. Although environmental and energy security concerns can be attributed to the fact that they need to be supported, and in a rising number of situations, they are now foreseen as the most economic option on priority basis. The use of modern renewables is growing in Africa; as such harboring this growth is most essential. African countries are in a unique position; they have the potential to rise above the traditional consolidatedutility model for energy provision.