Solutions Sought for Africa’s Energy Crisis
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Addis Ababa Aug, 2007 - Rolling blackouts are an integral part of any major African city’s framework. In fact, some might say that a country had not achieved true independence if all its utility structures were intact and reliable. The assumption would be that some foreign (perhaps colonial) power was governing and running those structures, as that is the only way they would run reliably. This week, the leaders of all 54 African nations met at a 3 day OAU summit to discuss the continent’s energy problems. Experts from across the globe were brought in to weigh in on possible solutions.
The majority of African nations rely on hydro-electric power to service their economies. Recent consistent droughts throughout the sub-Saharan region in the last few years have spurred a need to create a more reliable energy source. Officials site a persistent drop in water levels at rivers and dams as the sole reason for electricity rationing in their cities.
Researchers and technicians from Europe and America provided environmentally friendly and perceivably long lasting solutions to the energy crises facing the continent. As usual, no African was invited to offer a solution for the continent’s numerous problems. Foremost among the ideas presented were harnessing the power of wind ( as used in Holland) or solar energy. Both would require a hefty initial investment, but with a virtually inexhaustible amount of each resource, they would pay for each other in the first 5 years of use. The Chinese team on the other hand suggested maintaining the status quo, proposing to build more of the defunct hydro-electric facilities, and perform minor repairs on the existing equipment.
“But wouldn’t this exacerbate the problem?” asked a junior deputy from the Gambia.
“Yes,” replied Wu Chien, head of the Chinese research team, “but it is all you Africans have ever known. We wouldn’t want to confuse you.”
Many heads of state could be seen nodding their heads in agreement.
At the close of talks, it was almost unanimously decided that Africa must carry on with the use of hydro-electric facilities to provide power, and any money left over from the project would be used to throw a huge birthday celebration for the OAU. In addition to the proposal submitted by the Chinese, it was decided that all labor and equipment would be imported from China. The Chinese would also own a 51% stake in all the newly created utility companies.
“We’re really happy with this decision,” said the ruling OAU president (it doesn’t matter who it is, because the position rotates every year). “We didn’t choose the European or American ideas, because they have already colonized and/or enslaved we Africans. We figured it might be a better choice to give somebody else the chance.”
He seemed genuinely pleased with the outcome of the vote.
Work has yet to begin on the building of new turbines, or any implementation at all for that matter. The compensation that the researchers were meant to be given to commence work was used to buy a 50 foot OAU celebration cake.
