For the last year, Central and Eastern European governments have been pressuring the EU to include less restrictive criteria for biomass energy production and to recognise natural gas as a transition fuel towards climate neutrality. They may have realised their ambitions with the current draft of the EU Sustainable Taxonomy proposal. Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) will be … [Read more...]
Exploring pan-African renewable energy projects
In the latest episode of Connecting Africa, CNN International’s Eleni Giokos explores why Africa's investment in renewable energy projects is so important for pan-African business growth. Electrification is seen as key in driving economic growth across Africa. But with only 43% of the continent connected to electricity, finding ways to secure and propel the continent towards … [Read more...]
EU Sustainable Taxonomy must be rooted in climate science
The global climate strikes have consistently made a simple demand: listen to the science. We agree. Just as experts and evidence have been key assets in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic, so too must they, and not sectoral interests, determine our policies to fight the climate crisis. WWF Central and Eastern Europe, along with a coalition of NGOs, think-tanks, experts and … [Read more...]
Inga 3 project going ahead amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) concluded a week-long conference in June earlier this year on the beleaguered Grand Inga Dam Project, where South Africa restated its commitment to purchase 5000MW of electricity from the proposed project, and the SA Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy is reported to be pressing ahead with their plans to procure power from the … [Read more...]
Norway aims to become Europe’s ‘green battery pack’
Norway's 937 hydroelectric-generating plants provide the country with 96 percent of its electricity—making it the world’s sixth-largest hydropower producer. Now, researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology are figuring out how to spread the water power wealth to other nations by turning Norway into the “green battery pack” of Europe. The idea is to … [Read more...]
Hydropower project to increase renewable power in Africa
The African Development Bank Group’s (AfDB) efforts to improve sustainable energy supply and access in Africa took a leap forward with the Board of Directors’ approval of the Regional Rusumo Falls Hydropower Project. The Bank Group allocated US $97.3 million from the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund for the multinational project, which will support … [Read more...]
Ethiopia opens Africa’s largest wind farm
Africa's biggest wind farm began production in Ethiopia on Saturday, aiding efforts to diversify electricity generation from hydropower plants and help the country become a major regional exporter of energy. The Horn of Africa country - plagued by frequent blackouts - plans to boost generating capacity from 2,000 MW to 10,000 MW within the next three to five years, much of … [Read more...]
Brilliant students craft renewable energy solutions
Two students are following in the footsteps of a remarkable renewable energy visionary, Dr. Doug Banks, funded by his legacy in the form of scholarships. Dr Doug Banks (2 April 1965 to 4 July 2008) died at the age of 43, passionate about meeting Africa's energy challenges through the development of renewable energy. Through a deep understanding of people and technology, this … [Read more...]
World’s dirtiest river
The Citarum River, in West Java, Indonesia, is heavily polluted by human activity; about five million people live in the basin of the river. This river has an important role in the life of the people of West Java, as it is used to support agriculture, water supply, fishery, industry, sewerage, electricity etc. There are three hydroelectric powerplant dams installed along … [Read more...]
Why aren’t water issues in the COP17 agenda?
'We need coordination and collaboration of international organization,' said Julia Bucknall (Manager of the Bank's central unit for Water, World Bank durning the session 'Water and Climate Change: The Road to COP17.' The World Water Day conference held at Cape Town International Conference Centre (CTICC), noted that unfortunately water issues are not currently integrated … [Read more...]
Water institute finds solutions through science
We are going to have a huge water supply problem by 2030. A report by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research warned that deteriorating water quality could lead to the depletion of freshwater resources even sooner than 2030 if South Africa experiences prolonged droughts. The call for help has been heard by scientists and researchers at the Stellenbosch University … [Read more...]
Power & Greed – Fatal Marriage
Today, ten years ago I was in London, listening to Nelson Mandela, Kader Asmal, Achim Steiner, and Medha Patkar all talking about the promise of the World Commission on Dams; how it would change the world of dams and development, and how you could walk the tight-rope towards a future where the poor did not lose everything and the rich did not gain everything. I remember … [Read more...]
Microhydro to be launched at Hydropower Africa
A database detailing all microhydro installations in Eastern and Southern Africa will be launched at the upcoming Hydropower Africa conference and exhibition in Johannesburg later this year. The web-based database will show current developments and provide information while hydropower industry professionals will also be able to update content. The driving force behind this … [Read more...]
