‘Energy supply must increase fourfold by 2050’

If Africa wants to meet the energy needs of all its people in the coming years, energy supplies should increase at least fourfold by 2050 from today’s level, said Brian Statham, chairman of the South African National Energy Association (SANEA) at the 2009 Energy Solutions for Africa Conference and Exhibition held in Sandton last week. With South Africa’s own energy crisis still fresh in the minds of most South Africans, the two-day conference, hosted by Siyenza Management in Partnership with Business Unity South Africa, addressed Africa’s energy requirements in an effort to find solutions to the challenges while harnessing the opportunities. Said Statham: “Only one third of Africa’s population has access to modern energy and that is not evenly distributed. More than 40% of the people still use non-commercial energy sources.” With the rate of electricity access estimated at only about 34%, technology transfer, foreign investments and access to clean energy remain limited. “It is important that Africa address its energy crisis now and find ways of harnessing its massive resources,” said Stratham. While many of the world’s capital owners don’t rate Africa high on their agenda, Stratham and other speakers at the conference agreed that in geographical terms alone, Africa was huge and should not be ignored. Deemed an unfavourable investment climate that is not renowned for its good governance and often is categorised by its nontransparent business practices, Africa must find ways to increase its energy capacity and output. According to Paul Runge of Africa Project Access, the building of relationships and having the correct contacts are key for successful projects in Africa. “We must be careful about waiting for the great projects that will save us. We need to get involved and we need to do it now.” Runge said from a business point of view it was time Africa actively sought donor and fund manager support for renewable energy sources. “I am not saying they are good or bad, but from a business point of view it makes sense to use their technology and skills in a way that is beneficial to the continent.”