energy4everyone

Archive for September, 2009

‘Six regions face power rationing’

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009

Reads the headline in today’s national newspaper. This comes as no surprise to either of us, after experiencing short power outages each one of our days in Dar. This also comes as no surprise to the Tanzanians (more specifically to 33% of Tanzanians – those with access to the national grid), it is a regular occurrence, quite often experienced daily. Most hotels, businesses, and middle to upper class homes have stand-by diesel generators – prepared an overwhelmed grid, worsened by the ‘hot season’ about to grip the country.

The electricity grid runs west, as well as in a V shape north, and only slightly south from Dar es Salaam – by no means covering even half the country. Tanesco, The Tanzania Electric Supply Company, has scheduled daily load shedding between 7am and 10:30pm to the V line that supplies the northern regions, inlcuding the mining towns around lake Victoria. These towns are well populated, minerals being Tanzania’s largest export.

Tanesco has appealed to the government for funding for several heavy fuel generators, adding 60MW for northern coverage. Funding has also been requested to help bring on an additional 100MW natural gas plant in Dar, in the hopes to meet current demand. Natural Gas finds in the south have mostly been used for power generation, and minimally to supply small industrial sites in the capital city. From what we’ve heard, the government has similar plans in mind for the offshore NG finds, as building pipeline infrastructure is not at all feasible. Not feasible, and more desperately required for power generation if Tanesco is hoping to extend their lines and electrify new communities.

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24 hours later, we’ve arrived.

Wednesday, September 9th, 2009

Reeling from a long journey, the last leg shared with more than a handful of development workers on their way to lend a helping hand, we cleared customs and headed for our accommodations for a long night’s nap. We shared a car with a German Development Officer heading up north to complete a poverty assessment in Sunyari, as well as a local engineer working on an offshore oil extraction project. The conversation quickly turned to the nature of our visit and e4e’s mission. The engineer, excited to share thoughts on the Ghanaian energy landscape, summarized his thoughts by saying that ‘while renewables are the preferred source for large scale distribution systems, the feasibility continues to be a major deterrent. Oil is a dependable, available, and a smart cost effective solution.’ A fair debate, and one that continues across the globe.

During our meeting with the E+Co investment team today Vincent, E+Co’s local Investment Officer, agreed with our view that positions energy as the great enabler. In fact, he went so far as to say that the Ghanaian government has started to promote energy as the strongest engine for economic growth. Backing that statement up with the following exhibit:

Current electrification rates in Ghana sit at approximately 56% of the population having access to the national grid system. The government’s goal is to reach 100% by 2020 (understanding that alternative energy will fill the gap in rural exceptions where grid connection is not feasible or even possible).

e4e wishes them all the success, and hopes to be able to play a role in achieving this bold target!

energy4everyone

Archive for September, 2009

‘Six regions face power rationing’

24 hours later, we’ve arrived.

We’ve left for Africa