1 How to Respond to Energy Transitions in Africa …
21
the factors that are making it hard to ensure this transition. It would
take time, more finances, advanced technology and preparation to jump
from fossil fuels to renewables on the African continent.
With respect to energy, we are aware that historically all countries
across the globe relied on traditional means of energy, including firewood and charcoal. Some of these countries progressed or advanced to
modern energy, including electricity, LNG. However, due to the disparities in the social, economic and political circumstances, some countries
‘progressed’ faster in energy use as compared to other countries. The same
holds for urban and rural communities. In this respect, it is common to
find that some people in urban areas can readily embrace energy transition compared to people in rural areas. This all points to the progressive
nature of energy use as discussed in the next subsection.
1.3.2.1 The Progressive Nature of Energy Use
Energy progression recognizes the differences in societies and the need
to consider these differences when shifting from one energy source to
another. Understanding and responding to the progressive nature of
energy use is crucial in solving the energy access challenges experienced
in developing countries.
Europe is an excellent example of the progressive character of energy
use, for instance, initially, in the nineteenth century, the focus for European countries was to shift from wood and water power to coal; in the
twentieth century the focus was to shift from coal to oil; in the twentyfirst century, the focus is to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. On
the contrary, the focus for most countries in SSA is to shift from wood
to electricity grids (even if these are powered by high-carbon intensity
energy resources such as coal)
43
One of the recognized and celebrated energy progressions in Europe
was a historical shift from biomass to fossil fuels. The nineteenth century
was characterized by industrialization necessitating the transition from
43 Nalule, V.R., 2020. Transitioning to a Low Carbon Economy: Is Africa Ready to Bid Farewell
to Fossil Fuels? In The Palgrave Handbook of Managing Fossil Fuels and Energy Transitions
(pp. 261–286). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
21
the factors that are making it hard to ensure this transition. It would
take time, more finances, advanced technology and preparation to jump
from fossil fuels to renewables on the African continent.
With respect to energy, we are aware that historically all countries
across the globe relied on traditional means of energy, including firewood and charcoal. Some of these countries progressed or advanced to
modern energy, including electricity, LNG. However, due to the disparities in the social, economic and political circumstances, some countries
‘progressed’ faster in energy use as compared to other countries. The same
holds for urban and rural communities. In this respect, it is common to
find that some people in urban areas can readily embrace energy transition compared to people in rural areas. This all points to the progressive
nature of energy use as discussed in the next subsection.
1.3.2.1 The Progressive Nature of Energy Use
Energy progression recognizes the differences in societies and the need
to consider these differences when shifting from one energy source to
another. Understanding and responding to the progressive nature of
energy use is crucial in solving the energy access challenges experienced
in developing countries.
Europe is an excellent example of the progressive character of energy
use, for instance, initially, in the nineteenth century, the focus for European countries was to shift from wood and water power to coal; in the
twentieth century the focus was to shift from coal to oil; in the twentyfirst century, the focus is to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy. On
the contrary, the focus for most countries in SSA is to shift from wood
to electricity grids (even if these are powered by high-carbon intensity
energy resources such as coal)
43
One of the recognized and celebrated energy progressions in Europe
was a historical shift from biomass to fossil fuels. The nineteenth century
was characterized by industrialization necessitating the transition from
43 Nalule, V.R., 2020. Transitioning to a Low Carbon Economy: Is Africa Ready to Bid Farewell
to Fossil Fuels? In The Palgrave Handbook of Managing Fossil Fuels and Energy Transitions
(pp. 261–286). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.