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Bill Gates: Solar is not the Energy solution to Africa. |
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Please I need your views on this article. Is Bill Gate actually right?
Bill Gates once again shunned solar power from his vision for energy access in Africa in his talk at the University of Pretoria in South Africa on Sunday, where he argued that whilst "cheap, clean energy" is what Africa needs, solar does not fit the bill. During the delivery of his Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture, the Microsoft founder and philanthropist identified that Africa, like the rest of the world, is in need of a "breakthrough energy miracle that provides cheap, clean energy for everyone." Africa is more dependent on such a phenomenon than other continents, because seven in ten Africans still lack power at present, while more than 500 million Africans still will not have electricity by 2040. This is not the first time Gates has taken a less than welcoming stance to solar power. In February, during an interview with a news outlet, he echoed a similar thought. "When I say 'an energy miracle'," he said, "I mean that there will be some form of energy whose 24-hour cost really is competitive with hydrocarbons given, say, 20 years of learning curve. "You invent it, then you look at how much its costs go down over the next 20 years, that it really beats hydrocarbons. "You might say, well, aren't people saying that about wind and solar today? Not really. Only in the super-narrow sense that the capital costs per output, when the wind is blowing, is slightly lower." In fact, Gates has been advocating anti-solar sentiment for a while. In 2014, he blogged about energy poverty, arguing for outdated fossil fuel solutions to tackle the electricity deficit in underdeveloped economies, characterising energy poverty as a climate issue. Solar is "not enough".. In the speech on Sunday, the software entrepreneur recommended increased investment in renewables, namely hydropower and geothermal. He went on to argue that recently launched solar power initiatives have not been enough: "There has been a lot of experimentation with small-scale renewable energy, including micro solar," he said. "This approach can provide individuals with some electricity for basic purposes, but it's not going to be the solution for the continent as a whole." PV Tech contacted the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), who vehemently disagreed with Gates' sentiments. ?To downplay the role that solar photovoltaics (PV) can play as part of a unique African energy mix in the strive to alleviate Africa's energy constraints would be irresponsible, " a spokesperson said, whilst citing data that should deem solar a 'no brainer' solution for Africa: "Africa has 7 of the 10 sunniest countries on earth and, according to IHS Technology, a US-based economic and energy market research company, Africa's total solar power–generating capacity is projected to reach 3,380MW by 2017' Solar Deployment in Africa In fact, solar power is undergoing rapid deployment and implementation as many countries across the continent are battling energy crises and look to alternatives to expensive fossil fuels such as diesel and coal. A series of feed-in tariffs and solar tenders have offered a foray into a solution that not only is clean and inexpensive, but is easily accessible. In South Africa in particular, the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) has successfully awarded 965MW of new solar capacity, which SAPVIA points out "is being delivered on time and on budget' "The rapidly escalating uptake of the technology in the rest of Africa can be clearly seen", argued SAPVIA. ?Expedited solar PV roll-out is being seen as supportive policies and regulations, such as the Get FIT Programme are developed and implemented. These policies and programmes, combined with the drop in the cost of PV technology (currently fully off-grid solar-PV technologies deployed at site can be deployed for as little as US$ 0.15/kWh and they do not require additional expensive transmission networks to move the electricity around), [we] see solar PV will make a significant impact on Africa and its energy challenges. ?One can expect – as has happened in South Africa – as the necessary supportive policies and regulations are scaled up, the rest of Africa will experience an increased uptake of solar PV technology. New renewable energy markets in Africa are already showing greater appeal to international and local investors – further spurring the uptake of solar PV in African markets.! Source: PV Tech Magazine. So what do you think about Bill Gates comments" Share your views with me. Thank you. |
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15 Comments
Heonjun, thanks for your comment. I think others didn't comment because they lack information on the issue. We will all read wide and pass good judgement.
Posted 10-08-2016 21:33
It is true solar energy costs more than other possible sources of clean energy. If you compare the amount of electricity generated with the same financial input, solar energy might not be effective for certain countries, just like Gates pointed out. But at the same time, it is also true that solar energy is getting more and more affordable. I do not have the proper material and knowledge to look into the details of his argument so i'll just pass on this one. But thanks for stirring up discussion on this site Joshua!
Posted 10-08-2016 15:01
@Rohan Kapur, thank you for appreciating my efforts. It is tough for campaigners but we strive because we are the future generation and we still have hope for a better world. :)
Posted 07-08-2016 07:12
Economic gains are unfortunately the key factor. We may disagree write blogs but its' the harsh reality. But well reported Joshua. Your enthusiasm is worth praise. If collectively big noise is created than this may be heard. Solar Energy is getting cheaper day-by-day. I see a bright future ahead but tough times for the campaigners.
Posted 06-08-2016 16:26
@Arushi, thanks for your input. Probably you should re-read Bill Gates view. He actually thinks Geo-thermal & Hydropower are the solution to Africa's energy crisis. However, Ghana's hydropower is failing the country due to high temperatures and low rainfall. Bill is speaking for the capitalists - those who thinks solely about business and profit - the industrial sector. Should we risk our environment for economic gains?
Posted 06-08-2016 08:21
Well said, Arushi Madan. Joshua Amponsem, all the best in your article for Africa Business magazine.
Posted 05-08-2016 15:39
Joshua, thanks for sharing how Bill Gates is thinking about solar energy. It is very interesting to know that other ambassadors have each unique ideas regarding this issue. Thanks for such a discussion!
Posted 05-08-2016 12:42
solar energy is a great and key solution to africa as green energy , i understand what Bill is saying is that using solar is quite expensive to purchase and in Africa most of its population is less likely to afford it but, there is a very cheap and easy way to make solar panels , solar heaters and solar cookers which is effective as i did a project on it and wont cost a fortune so i believe solar energy is the greatest solution to green energy in Africa and should be applied
Posted 05-08-2016 04:12
Solar energy is a key element in Africa??s future . But “Is it the only solution? I would say, “No” because solar is intermittent. But will it be a major part of the solution? I believe it will.” In the developed world, electricity is cheap and as available as the nearest outlet. But in off-the-grid Africa, energy poverty is endemic. Solar is particularly well-suited to sunny, equatorial Central and East Africa but not to the entire continent.
Solar energy is undoubtedly African economies' secret weapon but it should not be the only weapon used to fight energy needs, poverty and pollution. This is simply because Africa has world-class solar potential, a vast belt of clean geothermal reserves, strong winds, and great potential for micro hydro and no-dam hydro. The solar potential is especially huge, with an average of 325 days of sunlight for the majority of the countries and 80% of land in Sub-Saharan Africa receiving almost 2000kWh per square meter per year of solar energy.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for meeting Africa??s complex energy needs. The options should be tailor-made for each region and country and should include energy efficiency at household and industry level, improved technology for use in the home and by industry, wider dissemination of renewable energy resources and technologies and development of diverse energy sources. The continent can no longer afford development setbacks there is need for political will at the local level, and technical and financial support at the global level to choose priorities that address the majority of Africans?? needs.
To summarise my stand, I agree with Bill Gates if he means that Solar is NOT THE ONLY SOLUTION to Africa's energy needs. But if he means that solar should not be used at all or relied at all for meeting African energy needs, then he is wrong and I disagree with him.
Posted 05-08-2016 03:49
Burton and Brian, thanks for your input. Brian, I disagree on your decision on nuclear - Africa do not have the capacity to house nuclear waste. I do not know the capacity of Iran's nuclear plant but note that we have the sun to our disposal. Also note that, solar is fast growing than all other source of power generation as the years pass by. More views, family.
Posted 05-08-2016 01:49
I agree with this article completely, Solar is not enough, we need more than solar, maybe nuclear energy will do Africa the favor of electricity connectivity easily and widely ,I disagree with the decision that was reached by the African Union Heads Of States led by the late Nelson Mandela that ensured Africa does not have to process nuclear power . Nuclear power can be utilized to energy alone without getting into a weapon , Iran is doing the same finally, why not AFRICA
Posted 05-08-2016 00:06
I agree with him somehow because during the cop conference in Paris president of China said addressing climate change shouldn't Deny the developing countries of fighting poverty in their country . if logging purpose is the only means of living I my country why shouldn't I cut down trees to reduce poverty
Posted 04-08-2016 18:40
Yvonne Wabai, thanks for reading and supporting the clean energy movement. As intelligent and famous Bill Gate is, his views on solar energy is really influencing African investors to withdraw their interest in funding solar project. Thanks for the support links too, I will read and put together a reply article to be published in Africa Business Magazine. I await more views from EcoGeneration family. Thank you
Posted 04-08-2016 16:32
As an afterthought, it occured to me that it may be useful to provide links that shed some light on the above matter. Here they are:
i) http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/sorry-bill-gates-you-are-wrong-on-clean-energy
ii)https://www.quora.com/Why-is-Bill-Gates-giving-away-his-money-to-inefficiently-fix-problems-instead-of-using-it-to-advance-humanity
iii)http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2015/08/bjorn-lomborg-just-a-scientist-with-a-different-opinion/
Posted 04-08-2016 16:05
When it comes to solar energy being an energy solution to Africa, I do not agree with Bill Gates. He is wrong on this one. First and foremost, his opinion relies on climate confusionist Bjorn Lomborg's 'findings'. Secondly, Bill is highly invested in nuclear power and while nuclear power does not produce green house gases, it produces radioactive waste which is highly toxic and most of it 'finds' its way to Africa. Thirdly, Bill has been in the middle of controversy for a while now, from his investments in Monsanto to his role in aiding Big Brother to see everything (spying on the citizens). Conclusion: for proof of the power of distributed energy, I will look at the growth rates in real-world markets - not Gates' blog.
Posted 04-08-2016 16:02