The Generator Continent: Failing to Plan is the Hallmark of Failure
From Cape to Cairo, Dakar to Dar-es-Salaam, all countries are reeling from an energy crisis that, to a greater or a lesser extent, could have been averted.
From Cape to Cairo, Dakar to Dar-es-Salaam, all countries are reeling
from an energy crisis that, to a greater or a lesser extent, could have
been averted. Just like the rich can afford to buy private security
services on the continent, the rich can also buy the one essential
commodity we all need for basic survival in modern times: energy. A
public problem arises when the rich buy diesel and petrol generators
that make us all cry for a number of reasons.
As the World Health Organisation pointed out, cooking with wood, dung
and crop waste in poorly ventilated homes is one of the greatest
threats to health in developing countries. Add to that the fumes and
noise from the generators in the largely slum cities and upper
respiratory problems are bound to escalate in Africa. This is
accompanied by the deposits of smoke and dust containing toxic gases on
the usually open food markets where vegetables in particular are
affected. Consumption of such foods is likely to increase the risk of
different health diseases that often take years to develop. Generators
in shops and hotels in most African cities run on an average 12 hours a
day. It is actually wise to choose a hotel room far form a generator if
you plan on sleeping during a vacation or a business trip.
Writing on India, Nitish Priyadarshi observed that in most of the
urban places there is an overlap of commercial, residential and
industrial areas which, together, with poor planning for the
installation of generators and the absence of any acoustic
treatment/enclosures, leads to excessive noise pollution. This fits the
description of many African cities.
The African leadership has failed the continent’s citizens in the
most horrendous way possible by failing to come up with viable solutions
that will harness the abundant resources available to generate energy
for the benefit of the continent timeously. These solutions include a
demonstration of state extractive capacity that includes the exploration
of renewable and alternative energy resources. Extractive capacity has
remained a major challenge for most African countries.
Experts state that a typical standby diesel generator produces 25-30
pounds of nitrogen oxides (NOx) per megawatt hour of power generated.
Nitrogen oxides are a smog-forming pollutant that has been linked to
increases in hospital admissions for asthma and is reportedly most
dangerous to children and the infirm. Diesel is produced from a fossil
fuel and generators using it add to the air pollution and to high sulfur
levels. Its distinctive smell and exposure can also lead to health
hazards. Diesel emission levels of NOx, carbon monoxide (CO),
hydrocarbons are all major contributors to poor air quality. Priyadarshi
warns that the visible pollution generated by burning diesel contains
elemental carbon. The smell comes from a group of particles called
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons that are well-known cancer causing
agents.
In one Indian study, Pridayash reports that volunteers who allowed
themselves to be exposed to diesel fumes reported coughing, sore throat
and eyes, headaches, and nausea. Some came down with lung inflammation
after exposure. Other common symptoms included the production of phlegm
and difficulty in breathing. Sounds familiar? Those who have dodged
phlegm in the street may perhaps now understand the causes. The Indian
volunteers also complained about odors which we seem to tolerate very
well in Africa. Odours from machinery, urban rivers and factories are
not natural and should be a warning sign that all is not well with the
air we are breathing.
Spectating has become a costly hobby for the continent. For instance,
the east African countries watched the hyacinth weed takeover Lake
Victoria and probably prayed that the weeds would wither on their own
like many other African problems. This, together with declining water
levels has exacerbated the energy crisis as this prevents the lake from
being a source of energy generation.
The economic giant’s electricity crisis last year led to South Africa hosting an Energy Solutions for Africa Conference and Exhibition
at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg in January 2009. It
was organised by Siyenza Management in partnership with the Business
Unity South Africa (BUSA). Though a welcome initiative by the business
community, it is clear from the onset that the private sector is clearly
steering the process with hidden calculators to do a quick cost benefit
analysis of what options will generate the most profits.
Had the governments been in the steering chamber, the private-public
partnership that will hopefully evolve out of this would have considered
accessibility of whatever energy options as benefitting the majority
but then, that’s not how Africa works. The conference provided a “unique
platform for ambassadors from African countries in both public and
private sectors to debate, develop solutions and collaborate with one
another in order to share best practices”. It is doubtful though that
poor ambassadors who know what it means to spend half your productive
lifetime hunting for energy to cook porridge or at best, to roast maize,
were represented where the latest technological developments were
exhibited.
Plans are that Energy Africa will become an annual event on the
African business calendar with a specific focus on exploring solutions
for a new energy future for Africa and will become the internationally
recognized energy event for Africa. More disturbingly, the Energy
Conference and Exhibition described itself as a “unique and focused
business forum that will provide the ideal networking climate for
companies and individuals to interact with the latest technology trends
available globally.”
It continues to say “the conference will provide you with updated
information from local as well as international sources on all key
solutions for addressing Africa’s energy requirements as well as the
challenges and opportunities facing the industry……. you will gain
valuable knowledge on current trends regarding energy across the African
continent with input from global authorities and obtain information on
how government and business leaders plan to address the energy challenge
in Africa.”
Once again, Africa will talk about one of its problems and the question is: when will we act?
