14
V. R. Nalule
• Digitalization: digitalization has been a notable feature of the hydrocarbon sector. However, we note that some developing countries in
Asia and Africa are still behind concerning digitalization and this,
in a way, has the potential of discouraging future investments. For
instance, it has been noted that SSA has an extensive portfolio of ‘digitally behind’ assets and these risks being left obsolete if digitalization
is not embraced.
28
Though fossil fuels have a significant role to play in meeting the continent’s energy challenges, there are some critical disruptions, as discussed
above. However, the perception of the hydrocarbon sector, especially in
this energy transition era calls for innovative ideas and concepts to redefine the sector to ensure that developing countries are not left behind in
this energy transition era. In the next section, a new concept of ‘energy
progression’ is introduced.
1.3 Introducing the Energy Progression
Dialogue: Energy Progression V Energy
Transitions
A discussion on energy transition and energy progression necessitates
us to understand the key pertinent facts. These are highlighted in the
Table 1.2.
Most of the points in the Table 1.2 have already been discussed in the
previous sections. This section analyses why developing countries should
consider the term ‘energy progression’ instead of the ‘energy transition’
term relied on by many developed countries. With the energy transition,
there is this accepted public pressure on countries to act very fast. This
has caused a two-sided protest from both climate change activists who are
interested in witnessing a fast transition; and the struggling populations
that are concerned about the costs of clean energy.
28 Deloitte: Africa Oil & Gas state of Play, November 2018. Can be accessed
at, https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/xe/Documents/energy-resources/africa_oil_
gas_state_of_play_Nov2018.pdf.
V. R. Nalule
• Digitalization: digitalization has been a notable feature of the hydrocarbon sector. However, we note that some developing countries in
Asia and Africa are still behind concerning digitalization and this,
in a way, has the potential of discouraging future investments. For
instance, it has been noted that SSA has an extensive portfolio of ‘digitally behind’ assets and these risks being left obsolete if digitalization
is not embraced.
28
Though fossil fuels have a significant role to play in meeting the continent’s energy challenges, there are some critical disruptions, as discussed
above. However, the perception of the hydrocarbon sector, especially in
this energy transition era calls for innovative ideas and concepts to redefine the sector to ensure that developing countries are not left behind in
this energy transition era. In the next section, a new concept of ‘energy
progression’ is introduced.
1.3 Introducing the Energy Progression
Dialogue: Energy Progression V Energy
Transitions
A discussion on energy transition and energy progression necessitates
us to understand the key pertinent facts. These are highlighted in the
Table 1.2.
Most of the points in the Table 1.2 have already been discussed in the
previous sections. This section analyses why developing countries should
consider the term ‘energy progression’ instead of the ‘energy transition’
term relied on by many developed countries. With the energy transition,
there is this accepted public pressure on countries to act very fast. This
has caused a two-sided protest from both climate change activists who are
interested in witnessing a fast transition; and the struggling populations
that are concerned about the costs of clean energy.
28 Deloitte: Africa Oil & Gas state of Play, November 2018. Can be accessed
at, https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/xe/Documents/energy-resources/africa_oil_
gas_state_of_play_Nov2018.pdf.