Namibian minister urges fair energy transition for Africa

Namibia's Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo on Thursday said Africans must insist on a fair energy transition, as developed countries push for limiting the use of fossil fuels while encouraging the use of renewable energy.
Speaking at the Bank of Namibia Symposium in Windhoek under
the theme, 'Maximising economic growth from renewable energy sources in
Namibia', Alweendo stressed that developed countries are pushing for an energy
transition without considering the consequences to Africans.
"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, not only is
this kind of 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," he said.
"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," Alweendo said.
Alweendo agrees that renewables are the energy sources of the
future, however, Africans are not there yet, and even when that happens,
renewable energy may not be sufficient to eradicate energy-induced poverty on
the continent without significant infrastructural investment that Africa does
not have the capacity for at present.
"What is needed is for us to develop our energy
transition timeline actively and purposefully; one that takes into account the
urgency of the climate change crisis and the needs of the African people,"
Alweendo said, adding that it may not be easy, but it will be necessary to take
true ownership and custodianship of natural resources.
Namibia intends to harness fossil fuel resources including natural gas for domestic, regional, and continental needs and at the same time also build a thriving renewable energy industry that will help with climate change, he noted.