What exactly has an alliance like that of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) really done for the African continent?
The AEEP, launched in December 2007, is focused on creating a long-term framework for Africa’s energy infrastructure. The group includes partners and stakeholders from the African Union, European Commission, African and EU member states, African regional economic communities, regional power pools, and energy firms ranging from the private sector to civil society and research institutes.
Since its first development in Portugal, what has been achieved so far? Well, the ACP-EU Energy Facility was launched in 2005 suiting Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific regions. The first Energy Facility is currently implementing 62 projects in 34 African countries at a total cost of €400 million, with a contribution from the European Commission of €180 million. The second Energy Facility will be implemented through two calls of proposals with the first €100 million bid launched on November 30, 2009. The latest addition calls for co-financing and support for energy governance from European financiers and private sector.
The partnership’s road map was approved in September 2010 that included political targets to be achieved by 2020 on energy access, energy security, renewable energy and energy efficiency. However, are African countries taking the partnership seriously or only trying to accrue more investment without establishing the proper infrastructure needed to facilitate the necessary improvements to energy structure? Not if Zimbabwe was any indicator with its lackadaisical presence at the AEEP summit in Vienna in September.
As the first deadlines for the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) nears, many African countries are nowhere near meeting their established energy goals, particularly in the renewable energy sector. Only 12% of Africa’s hydropower potential is currently exploited, compared with 70% in Europe, and there are many opportunities for solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Africa needs substantial investments in energy infrastructure to sustain its economic development and to reach the MDGs, but without the proper facilitation and legislation in place, implementation will continue to lag.
A partnership is just that: a 50/50 representation from both sides. Africa cannot continue to rely on foreign investment without meeting partners halfway.
Have you seen 2010’s final edition of Alternative Energy