Energy policy should embrace renewable energy solutions

| Thursday April 22, 2010 00:00

Talk of blackouts should not be part of the daily schedule of a region always at the forefront of economic growth and enjoying relative wealth compared to other regions on the continent.   Some may say that the strain on the power supply is the result of our rapid economic development. That is partially correct although the brunt of this crisis should really be blamed on lack of coordinated scenario planning on the part of our regional power experts.

As a result of this, the region finds itself having to find solutions under the pressure of an impending shortage. We hear that South Africa's Eskom has had to get a sizeable loan from international lending bodies to finance its state of readiness on the eve of the much-anticipated World Cup. Botswana recently borrowed US150 million dollars from the World Bank to finance the major projects to satisfy Botswana's and regional needs. The country seems to be seriously dependent on coal.  Botswana is borrows once more after borrowing to sort out national the budget. While we do agree that in many ways a country the size of Botswana may not have the funds needed to pursue these major projects, we also want to caution our leaders.

Borrowing, as former South African president, Thabo Mbeki, would say, often comes with a measure of surrender of your sovereignty. Multilateral bodies, when they are owed, often want to then give directions as to how a country should run its business. Though it might not be realistic, the best way to guarantee proper sovereignty is to stay debt free.  It is inevitable that once in a while we will have to borrow, but let's try and keep our borrowing to a minimum. Most importantly, we are inclined to argue that borrowing to fund flawed programme is not a very smart move. To saddle future generations with debt accrued from misled programmes is illogical.  Our current energy shortage, instead of being treated as an opportunity to pursue a renewable energy programme, has instead become the ultimate excuse to pursue the opposite direction. Our belief is that this country and this region have the ability to harness renewable energy sources such as solar power. We enjoy some of the strongest sunshine for some of the longest periods in a year.  But how has the region attempted to move to harness this source of energy? At this point we should be seeing solar panels all over houses in our villages and towns.  If we are to borrow money to finance our energy infrastructure, it would only make sense that part of that infrastructure should contain a rigorous renewable energy component.  We think this region has not even begun to approach this issue with a sense of sophistication. And for that, future generations will find themselves saddled with cumbersome debt and rapidly depleting energy sources.  

                                                             Today's thought

'This is land for people who love nature, who believe that the best of the environment should be saved and want to create a family legacy that can be passed to future generations unchanged,unspoiled, and naturally beautiful.'

                                                                 - Everitt Drew