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Aku_pickin
Christmas Island
162 Posts |
 Posted - 09 Jul 2009 : 13:41:03
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I'll give the Gambian government credit for its progress in its rural electrification initiative. However, would it not make sense for them to seize this opportunity to invest in renewable energy such as wind, hydro, and solar instead of building old antiquated oil driven plants which the rest of the world is trying to free itself from?
Yes it would cost more for renewable energy in the short term but would be beneficial both financially and environmentally for the nation in the long term.
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Justice must be served as impunity brings more repression and corruption! |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 09 Jul 2009 : 15:05:39
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I am no expert on alt. Energy matters all such options are expensive,"old antiquated oil driven plants which the rest of the world is trying to free itself from? " is a relativly cheap option,
Solar power works we all know that, but unless you build acres and acres of panels the power produced is very small and the cost of building a large installation is vast.So the selected option makes sense.
I wonder however if rural people will be able to pay for the generated power?,most are farmers and they would have to buy a cashpower meter the cost of which is D4500,(reduced from an intial D6500 !)transmission costs would be expensive to provide to rural communities, overhead lines, transformers and other technology,so its all about money again,If the Farming boom happens then farmers produce can be sold for money,that money can then be used to buy electricity from the state company.All a long way off I fear. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2009 : 01:15:18
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With due respect, toubab1020, your arguement "...but unless you build acres and acres of panels the power produced is very small and the cost of building a large installation is vast.So the selected option makes sense.
I wonder however if rural people will be able to pay for the generated power?,..." is misleading, period.
A typical village in Africa could make do with a dozen of solar panels, for starters. The energy source is right over their heads, and not under their noses...............................lol! |
The New Gambia - Stronger Together! |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2009 : 11:27:54
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Kita.I read what you have written and agree somewhat,the best that such an installation as you envisage would only supply very limited power,however,a little something is better than nothing, and of course after set up costs its free power,OK but what about payback for the installation,how is that going to work?
Africa has to join the world if she wants better things for her people,at this time everyone is having hard time,yes Africa especially.The Answer,I have no idea!! |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Aku_pickin
Christmas Island
162 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2009 : 17:48:51
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Toubab, I understand your argument about who will pay for it and how can the people afford it. However the administration is already implementing this project and customers in the rural areas are subscribing to them. My point is that they should consider renewable energy such as wind and solar. As the saying goes "build it and they will come".
Please have a look at this series of articles which describes how peoples lives have changed in the rural areas as a result of this initiative:
http://observer.gm/observer-bus |
Justice must be served as impunity brings more repression and corruption! |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2009 : 18:44:08
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| AKU,Leaving aside who will pay and who can afford that I wrote about earlier.If the topic has now been refined into a choice between Diesel generators or Solar, wind, hydro, or other alternatives, my opinion is that the alternatives have not yet reached the required standard that can be obtained by using proven technology, when they do AND become available at a competitive price,then change.A saying that springs to mind is "better the devil you know than the devil you dont." I think that the only alt technology that can be usefully employed is Solar and storage batteries,which are deep cycle batteries and not your normal car type.Wind,hydro,hmmmmmmmm not much wind in The Gambia, Hydro,too few rivers and not enough natural landscape to form a dam. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
Posted - 10 Jul 2009 : 21:02:20
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The cheapest alternative energy source for the Gambia is solar. I agree with you toubab1020 that hydro is an environmental hazard. The Gambia government should leverage the transitional costs from fossils to solar/wind exclusively to rural communities, alá from the bottom up approach. "better the devil you know than the devil you dont." is still a devil which is devastating.
Down with fossil fuels incl. firewoods! |
The New Gambia - Stronger Together! |
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Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
Posted - 11 Jul 2009 : 21:31:08
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USA president Obama, loud and clear excerpt from Ghana speech July 11 2009: "...One area that holds out both undeniable peril and extraordinary promise is energy. Africa gives off less greenhouse gas than any other part of the world, but it is the most threatened by climate change. A warming planet will spread disease, shrink water resources, and deplete crops, creating conditions that produce more famine and conflict. All of us - particularly the developed world - have a responsibility to slow these trends - through mitigation, and by changing the way that we use energy. But we can also work with Africans to turn this crisis into opportunity.
Together, we can partner on behalf of our planet and prosperity, and help countries increase access to power while skipping the dirtier phase of development. Across Africa, there is bountiful wind and solar power; geothermal energy and bio-fuels. From the Rift Valley to the North African deserts; from the Western coast to South Africa's crops, Africa's boundless natural gifts can generate its own power, while exporting profitable, clean energy abroad..."
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The New Gambia - Stronger Together! |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 13 Jul 2009 : 11:06:29
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quote:
Originally posted by Kitabul Arerr
The cheapest alternative energy source for the Gambia is solar.
Down with fossil fuels incl. firewoods!
Kitabul,
i think solar can be, depending on what you want to use it for. if you want to pump water in a remote village its the best option. actually it depends what you (end-user) is going to use the energy for. i.e ironing clothes can only be done with electricity or with charcoal. it seems the focus is on electrification but also note that most energy of the energy consumed in the gambia is for domestic cooking.
solar cookers have not been very culturally acceptable.
the best practically option at this point is gas. an option to bring down the price is needed. Senegal has a successful experience with gas.
Firewood, i dont think should be classified as fossil fuels. Firewood (biomass) is/can be renewable. All gambians need to understand is that the forest needs to be exploited sustainably through. e.g you can have dedicated woodlots, commercial forests (Nyambai), coomunity forests etc. its done in Scandinavia. we also need to reduce charcoal consumption since its more destructive to the forest.
there is also village in The Gambia that gets most of its electricity from wind energy. a small step but in the right direction.
even though we dont emit much as highlighted by Obama, i think the lost of the forest cover (carbon sinks) will lead to less rainfall, poorer soils etc.
regarding hydro, as you may be aware The Gambia is completely flat. but the River Gambia in Senegal has hydro potential and there is regional cooperation (OMVG) towards that.
West Africa alone has a lot of fossil fuels that we can share and use. Nigeria alone should stop wasting its natural gas through flaring.
but i think more attention should be given to the irresponsible way we/gambians are cutting down trees. we will pay dearly in the future for it.
you only have to travel to northern Senegal to see the desert. |
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Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 19:06:38
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Africans should stop "crying foul", and start harnessing it's abundant energy resource potentials, which is Solar energy. All grassroots initiatives are from the bottom up, as Obama has reiterated, rather than whining about gas/petrol prizes.
Africa's poverty woes is associated with energy access. We rule over alternative energy recourses. it's time to harness it! And it's cheap! |
The New Gambia - Stronger Together! |
Edited by - Kitabul Arerr on 14 Jul 2009 19:09:46 |
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kiwi
Sweden
662 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 22:59:40
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You´d better set up panels and start using solar energy before we rob you of it!
Twelve European companies have launched a EUR400bn The Desertec Industrial Initiative to plant huge solar farms in Africa and the Middle East to produce energy for Europe, as it was revealed yesterday.
The consortium says the massive proposal could provide up to 15% of Europe's electricity needs via undersea cables. Electricity probably could begin flowing within ten years and some plants are already being developed in North Africa.
If solar power can cater for Europe´s need of energy, why not Gambia´s?
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kiwi |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 14 Jul 2009 : 23:07:29
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"If solar power can cater for Europe´s need of energy, why not Gambia´s?"
Usual reason, No money. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Edited by - toubab1020 on 14 Jul 2009 23:09:16 |
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snuggels
960 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 01:40:16
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| And dont forget all the pig and shicken sh**e for the methain gas It all adds up lol |
Edited by - snuggels on 15 Jul 2009 01:41:16 |
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Dalton1
3485 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 06:53:47
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Going by the true testimonies of those that believe this is something they earned, I too humbly join in the many here in giving the credit to them, but in me, I still keep my emphasis on the need for freedom, equality and justice. Mere structures of development cannot be of any benefit to us if we are walking with fear and being oppressed continually without committing any crime. let that credit be for them now and let it go in history..as far as it may travel.
quote:
Aku_pickin....
I'll give the Gambian government credit for its progress in its rural electrification initiative.
D... |
"There is no god but Allah (SWT); and Muhammad (SAW)is His last messenger." shahadah. Fear & Worship Allah (SWT) Alone! (:
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Edited by - Dalton1 on 15 Jul 2009 15:02:02 |
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toubab1020
12314 Posts |
Posted - 15 Jul 2009 : 18:44:56
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quote:
Originally posted by Kitabul Arerr
Africans should stop "crying foul", and start harnessing it's abundant energy resource potentials, which is Solar energy. All grassroots initiatives are from the bottom up, as Obama has reiterated, rather than whining about gas/petrol prizes.
Africa's poverty woes is associated with energy access. We rule over alternative energy recourses. it's time to harness it! And it's cheap!
OK just one problem THEFT read what this official has to say
http://observer.gm/africa/gambia/article/59-solar-panels-stolen-in-crr-governor-touray
I am afraid its the old problem,never mind about the community I want that I will take it,this is a serious problem that has to be tackled until Gambians understand that things like Solar panels and electricity are provided for the benefit of ALL by the government so as to improve the lot of all people then there will be NO PROGRESS,but if no jobs exist to get money what happens, people steal and so the circle goes on.A Culture change is needed.The Smiling Coast is not a very happy place. |
"Simple is good" & I strongly dislike politics. You cannot defend the indefensible.
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Kitabul Arerr
Gambia
645 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jul 2009 : 21:36:04
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quote:
Originally posted by kiwi
You´d better set up panels and start using solar energy before we rob you of it!
Twelve European companies have launched a EUR400bn The Desertec Industrial Initiative to plant huge solar farms in Africa and the Middle East to produce energy for Europe, as it was revealed yesterday.
The consortium says the massive proposal could provide up to 15% of Europe's electricity needs via undersea cables. Electricity probably could begin flowing within ten years and some plants are already being developed in North Africa.
If solar power can cater for Europe´s need of energy, why not Gambia´s?
If solar power can cater for Europe´s need of energy, why not Gambia´s
Great point, kiwi.
it's because Africans are the most individualistic Beings on the planet. Excuse me, but they're very selfish!
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