Africa’s energy poverty, clean drinking water, large-scale hydropower, and regional interconnection should be the priorities of sub-Saharan African leaders, according to the World Energy Council (WEC). In the group’s 2013 World Energy Issues Monitor, the report said African energy leaders are concerned that trade barriers will counter efforts to provide reliable, affordable, and clean energy for the continent.
The study said that African energy leaders’ concerns are aligned with global issues such as the absence of a climate framework, the economic pressure generated by the global recession and rising energy prices, and the vast potential of renewables and energy efficiency.
Speaking at the Africa Energy Indaba conference, Dr Christoph Frei, Secretary General of the WEC and said: “The issues of regional interconnection, trade barrier, energy-water nexus, and large-scale hydropower cannot be addressed by any single country alone.” WEC VP Prof. Abubaker Sambo added, “The opportunities are huge: in renewables and energy efficiency, our hydrocarbon reserves, and our huge gas reserves. But in order to capitalize on these, there needs to be improved regional interconnection and more concerted efforts across national borders.”
Make sure you visit and click ‘Like’ on our Facebook page to receive even more news and updates from Alternative Energy Africa.