Wind and Alternative Energy: East Africa blessed?

[Abu-Salman]

The Rift Valley is one of the World best areas for geothermal resources and some schemes are already into the advanced stage in Kenya, Djibouti etc;

however, the wind offers also plenty of potential, particularly for Somalia (Somalia Wind Energy Map).

 

Giant wind farms are already underway in Ethiopia and Kenya while more are planned throughout the whole region:

Kenya Wind Farm

 

Indeed, huge parts of the country are ideal for at least wind powered water pumping so vital for the rural economy and security while some areas, eg the mountainous areas up North, have some of the best potential in Africa for wind powered electricity.

 

Water is here the key to both security and the economy, hence the importance of wind powered water pumping by itself.

 

The sector of alternative energy, and particularly wind power, is now booming and predicted as a key sector worldwide.

[Archdemos]

^^ i've looked into this area in some detail in the past. It's only viable if one has very deep pockets or the backing of an entity like UNEP, to share costs like a PPI project. Even if you can import the critical mass required to achieve throughput efficiency, you still need to bear the costs of the support infrastructure. Somalia could become an alternative energy powerhouse, but sadly a very much needed government is missing in action. One can only hope:(

[ElPunto]

So much wasted potential.

[Abu-Salman]

Indeed, some stability is required though Kenya, Ethiopia or even Morocco with its Africa leading wind sector have their own internal conflicts and tensions as well as limited funds:

"The Moroccan government has set a target of raising the contribution of renewable energy from 7.9% to 18% of the national electricity consumption by 2012. Wind power is poised to play a key role for reaching this goal with a targeted 1,500 MW of capacity, Morocco has further a plan involving the building of five wind farms to increase wind energy generation capacity to 2,000 MW by 2020.

Other major wind farms currently under construction in Morocco include the Laayoune Wind Farm (240MW), Foum El Oued Wind Farm (200MW) and the Sendouk Farm (65MW)."(renewableenergydev.com)

 

The point is that even without excellent stability, much could be done, particularly in terms of wind powered water pumping as this is key to both security and livelihoods.

 

It can also boost the overall economy as agriculture is the major sector, while limiting rural exodus and the associated urban decay as well as exploding criminality in major towns.

 

It is these small scale, locally owned schemes that have a real impact, eg adapted water management would allow towns such as arabsiyo to supply nearby Hargeysa if not further etc

[Abu-Salman]

Looks like even solar energy is now getting very competitive and the region has a potential of up to 5-6 kw by meter square (as calculated in Djibouti where some buildings are solar powered, in conjunction with storage batteries).

 

That means the average home need much less than one meter square of panels; it's thus an excellent investment (the Djib central bank director second home in Hargeysa is solar powere too):

 

http://www.yourmoneysite.com/news/2011/dec/indias-solar-power-bid-prices-sink-to-record.html

 

 

 

As for wind, major desalination schemes have already started:

http://www.comesaria.org/site/en/opportunities_details.php?chaine=desalination-of-sea-water&id_opportunities=126&id_article=133

[Valenteenah.]

There are definitely great opportunities in clean energy tech for the country in the future, Allah willing. Great benefits too.

[Valenteenah.]

 

And it’s challenging the rest of the world to follow suit. Last week, at the Durban climate conference, Tokelau, a Pacific micro-state (pop. 1,500; cars — 3) announced that it was going to be using 100% renewable energy next year. 90% of its power will come from a $7.5-million solar PV system. The other 10% will come from home-made coconut oil. “‘If all goes to plan, the three islands of Tokelau will formally lead the world in percentage reduction in the use of fossil fuels, will be number one leader in carbon emissions savings per person, and number one renewable energy country,’ said Foua Toloa, the ulu, or head, of the New Zealand protectorate,” the Guardian reports.

 

More from Toloa: “We stand to lose the most of any country in the world due to climate change and the rising sea levels, so leading the way by making the highest per person investment in the world is a message to the world to do something…. It took me 64 hours to get here. Before I left, my eldest daughter said: ‘Go challenge the world in Durban to match or better the renewable energy targets we have set ourselves and which we will meet next year.’”

 

Of course, climate change is slightly (but only slightly) more urgent for Tokelau than for the rest of the world. It is already facing issues such as:

 

extreme weather

strong storm surges

droughts

coral-bleaching

inundation of land

groundwater salination

 

This was the first year in the islanders’ history when they needed to import water. The had to do so follwoing a 7-month-long drought and several cyclones (hurricanes in US lingo) that caused contamination of underground water supplies.

 

More from the Guardian: “Tokelau’s switch to renewables is expected to encourage scores of other islands. It expects to save 12,000 tonnes of CO2 over the life of the 1MW solar power plant – around 1,600 times the annual CO2 emissions of the average person in the UK. Tokelau will also have no more worries over changing fuel prices and intermittent supplies. ‘No more noisy generators will disturb the quiet of the islands. We will be an example to the world, even though we have done nothing to deserve this,’ said Toloa.”

 

While some island states are looking to just abandon their idyllic islands (a hard choice, I’m sure), the islanders of Tokelau don’t want it to get to that point and are set on staying at the moment. “We have no intention of leaving. This is a God-given land, we have a culture, a language, an identity and a heritage. We want to preserve Tokelau for future generations,” Tokelau said. But that means they will have to suffer a lot and will be faced with increasing challenges, especially if the world doesn’t act,.. well,.. immediately.

 

“My heart is heavy. Climate change does not distinguish between colour or race. It is an everyday reality here. It is our life. If nothing comes from this meeting, then we will continue to suffer.”

 

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/14R3l)

 

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Such a cute little place. I love the idea of energy from homemade coconut oil!

[Som@li]

^Inspiring story,

 

For Somalis, and the rest of the third world countries, I tell them , worry about making three meals a day, and proper life first.The easier and cheapest is thru FOSSIL fuels to get there.