Mines and energy minister, Tom Alweendo has called out the West’s energy transition agenda that has little consideration of the circumstances of developing countries and attempts to dissuade Africa from leveraging all its natural resources.
Alweendo highlighted that those leading the agenda have attempted to cajole Africans into an energy transition strategy which they have determined according to their circumstances and to convince Africa of a faster and more rigid energy transition, the messaging peddled now is now about how “African countries are among the most vulnerable to the negative impacts of climate change”.
“To be clear, I am not taking issue with the fact that African countries are severely affected by the effects of climate change. We are all affected. We have seen devastating droughts and floods in various African countries. Most of us have experienced the rainfall pattern that has changed, in the process negatively affecting food security on the continent. Therefore, climate change is real, and it must concern all of us as global citizens.
“What I, however, find unreasonable is when some countries and global interest groups try to dissuade Africa from leveraging all its natural resources. They suggest, and at times demand, that Africa gives up its fossil fuel energy sources as they see these as dangerous and “dirty, carbon-spewing” oil and gas. They coax us to, as soon as possible, switch to clean renewable energy sources such as wind and solar and that it is “for our own good”. For some of us, this urging from our supposed friends is tantamount to the proverbial “kicking away the ladder”, Alweendo said last week.
He went on to state that what we need to remember is that these countries and global interest groups have often benefited significantly from the exploitation of fossil fuels they now caution against.
Also and historically, many Western countries have exploited raw materials from the continent, processed them, and sold them for a huge profit, Alweendo said adding that at the same time, there is a distinct unwillingness to recognise and acknowledge the positive impact that our resources have had on their current standards of living.
“Not only is this kind of a mindset condescending, but it also shows a total lack of concern about the negative impacts of African countries rushing our switch from fossil fuels to renewables. Think about the potential loss of economic opportunities and greater difficulties in delivering reliable electricity to the hundreds of millions of Africans who need it so badly. Think about the ensuing loss of the livelihood that most African countries have been carefully nurturing over the last few decades.
“Pushing Africa to move forward with an energy transition on any timetable other than our own, is just another example of the lack of respect the global community has for African priorities. What is needed is for us to develop our own energy transition timeline actively and purposefully; one that takes into account the urgency of the climate change crisis and the need of the African people. It may not be easy, but it will be necessary to take true ownership and custodianship of our natural resources. In this manner, instead of facing hopelessness and despair, many more of our young people will be empowered to achieve the future they deserve,” further stated Alweendo.
In emphasis, Alweendo reiterated that with this positive mindset towards responsibly harnessing natural resources, “we can reap the economic benefits that come with eradicating energy poverty” adding that “we can grow and diversify our economies; we can industrialize our economies; we can create well-paying jobs for our citizens and create opportunities for our private sector companies and entrepreneurs.”
This is the only sustainable way we can manage a successful energy transition, he added.
“One of the most significant reasons why Africans must insist on a just energy transition, is the fact that the continent suffers from acute energy poverty. More than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to reliable electricity. As we all know, energy is a critical catalyst for development, and we all know the level of development in our countries. In Namibia, we have seen how the lack of access to energy puts our people at a disadvantage in almost every area of life.
“Climate change activists will tell you that renewable power is the key to wiping out energy poverty. They will tell you about the affordability of solar micro grids, wind power and hydro power. And it must be acknowledged that there is no doubt that renewables will play a role in addressing our energy poverty, and at the same time addressing climate change. We can all agree that renewables are the energy sources of the future. However, we are not there yet and even when that happens, renewable energy may not be sufficient to eradicate poverty energy on the continent without significant infrastructural investment that we do not have the capacity for at present,” Alweendo said.