African Countries Require a Longer Period to Phase Out Non-Green Energy Sources with Ambundo Muliro - Climate Change Advocate

The African energy transition presents several unique characteristics and challenges compared to other regions. Africa has a significant energy poverty challenge, with a large portion of the population lacking access to reliable and affordable energy services.

The energy transition in Africa must address the needs of both urban and rural populations, ensuring equitable access to modern energy sources. It is important to note that Africa is a diverse continent, and the specific characteristics of the energy transition may vary between countries and regions based on their unique circumstances, available resources, and development priorities.

In today's edition of the Energy! newsletter, we turn our attention to Kenya, where we have the privilege of hearing from Ambundo Muliro, a prominent climate change advocate. Muliro graciously shares valuable insights into the realities of Kenya's energy transition.

1. We already know that solar alone is not capable of electrifying Africa. How do you suggest African countries go about securing their energy future while reducing climate change impacts?

Africa needs to reconsider its energy mix and revamp its energy-sourcing methods in order to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector. By investing in untapped renewable energy sources like nuclear power, hydropower, geothermal power, and wind power, we can enhance our capacity for electricity production.

In Kenya, for instance, we already have the Olkaria Geothermal Power Plant, Turkana Wind-Power Plant, and several hydropower plants. Additionally, afforestation and re-afforestation programs can play a crucial role in modifying the climate.

These initiatives can increase the carbon sink infrastructure, leading to the development of stronger capacities for hydropower plants. Moreover, they can improve rainfall distribution and stabilize the hydrological cycle, contributing to a more sustainable energy ecosystem.

2. In your experience as a climate change advocate, what does a just energy transition mean to you in the African context?

African countries face significant developmental challenges and it will take a considerable amount of time for them to transition away from non-green energy sources while also achieving their development objectives. These countries are largely underdeveloped and often rely on conventional, non-environmentally friendly sources of energy due to limited resources and infrastructure.

On the other hand, developed countries have a crucial role to play in accelerating their own transition towards green energy. By doing so, they can create space within the global carbon budget for developing countries to implement their own green energy programs. This approach would minimize the adverse effects on the global climate while still allowing developing countries to pursue their development goals.

In summary, African countries require a longer period to phase out non-green energy sources while pursuing their development objectives. Developed countries, on the other hand, can help mitigate the impact on the global climate by expediting their own transition to green energy, thus enabling developing countries to implement their own sustainable energy programs.

Kenya demonstrates a commitment to advancing renewable energy sources, reducing emissions, and promoting sustainable and affordable energy solutions - Ambundo Muliro

3. How is the energy transition being adopted in remote Kenyan communities? Please provide one or two examples.

The Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) was established with the primary objective of addressing Kenya's pressing socio-economic need for subsidized electricity in rural areas. One notable achievement of REREC is the construction of the Garissa Solar Power Plant, which stands as the largest grid-connected solar power plant in East and Central Africa.

This project marks Kenya's first major venture into harnessing its abundant solar energy resources to diversify its power generation mix and reduce energy costs. Currently, the Garissa Solar Plant contributes approximately 2% to the national energy mix, playing a significant role in lowering energy costs and promoting the development of clean, reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity.

Also, ASOBO, a green energy start-up based in Kisumu, Kenya, is leading the way in replacing petrol-powered engines in fishermen's boats on Lake Victoria with electric-powered engines. This initiative aims to reduce emissions from petrol-powered engines, contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

Another notable development in Kenya's energy landscape is the entry of Taifa Gas into the LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) market. This addition is part of a bilateral trade agreement between Kenya and Tanzania, which was signed during the tenure of Dr. Ruto's predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta.

Taifa Gas is setting up a 30,000 metric tonnes storage facility at the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone in Likoni, Mombasa County. The LPG refilling plant aims to serve countries in the East African region.

Valued at $130.5 million, the plant is owned by Taifa Gas, the largest LPG gas dealer in Tanzania, founded by billionaire Rostam Aziz. This project is expected to result in a reduction in the price of cooking gas, leading to increased adoption of cleaner cooking alternatives and a consequent decrease in carbon emissions from charcoal usage.

Furthermore, it will help mitigate deforestation caused by the use of firewood as a cooking fuel source. Overall, these initiatives and projects in Kenya demonstrate a commitment to advancing renewable energy sources, reducing emissions, and promoting sustainable and affordable energy solutions.

4. Where do you see Africa in the next 10 years in terms of electrification rates and clean cooking?

I envision a significant portion of the African continent being connected to the electric grid in the near future. This transformation will be propelled by the global decarbonization program targeting the transport sector, which necessitates the establishment of an electric power supply infrastructure to support electric mobility.

As a result, the electrification of Africa will be accelerated, bringing cleaner and more sustainable energy options to the continent. Furthermore, there is a growing advocacy for LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) as a green cooking source of energy in Africa.

This movement aims to promote the increased adoption of LPG for cooking purposes, leading to reduced carbon emissions. The Taifa Gas project in Kenya, which I mentioned earlier, exemplifies this advocacy.

By offering a storage facility and refilling plant for LPG, the project aims to lower the price of cooking gas and encourage its uptake. This, in turn, will contribute to a significant reduction in carbon emissions, as well as address deforestation resulting from the use of firewood as a cooking fuel source.

Overall, the combination of accelerated electrification through the establishment of electric power supply infrastructure and the advocacy for LPG as a green cooking energy source will play a crucial role in reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable energy practices in Africa.

5. Do you think the action steps by multilateral organizations to advocate for a reduction in fossil fuels are working, especially considering the emissions generated in countries like China and the United States?

I believe that our current multilateral systems for compliance and enforcement of international laws are inadequate when it comes to dealing with superpowers, particularly China and the United States. This situation poses a challenge to the global agenda on emissions reduction, considering that both China and the United States are major contributors to global carbon emissions.

The lack of equal or consequential consequences for non-compliance by these influential players in the multilateral system is a stain on the conscience of other members within the multilateral order. It is evident that the current framework lacks the necessary mechanisms to effectively hold superpowers accountable for their actions and enforce compliance with international laws.

This loophole undermines global efforts to address climate change and reduce emissions. Without a fair and robust system in place, the credibility of the multilateral order is compromised, leading to a sense of disillusionment among its members.

Addressing this issue requires a concerted effort to strengthen the multilateral systems of compliance and enforcement, ensuring that all nations, including superpowers, are held equally accountable for their actions and fulfill their obligations under international laws. This would restore the integrity of the global agenda on emissions reduction and encourage a more responsible and sustainable approach to combating climate change.

6. The G7 leaders recently met in Hiroshima, Japan to discuss a number of issues including energy and climate change and they pledged to meet the $100 billion climate fund promised to developing countries by Western countries. Do you think the funds will be used responsibly if given to African countries?

African countries have a troubling and extensive history of fund mismanagement and embezzlement. In my opinion, it would be beneficial to place these funds under the management of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

Additionally, the implementation of climate security programs should be directed through the instruments of the African Union. By entrusting the management of funds to the AfDB, we can promote greater accountability and transparency.

The AfDB has established expertise in financial management and governance, making it a suitable institution to oversee these funds. This would help mitigate the risk of mismanagement and embezzlement, ensuring that the allocated resources are effectively utilized for the benefit of African countries.

Furthermore, the African Union should play a crucial role in providing a structured framework for the implementation of climate programs. This includes establishing mechanisms that ensure climate fund security, transparency, and accountability.

By utilizing the African Union's resources and organizational capabilities, we can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of climate initiatives across the continent.

In summary, placing funds under the management of the AfDB and utilizing the African Union as a platform for implementing climate security programs would contribute to greater transparency, accountability, and effective utilization of resources in African countries.

The lack of equal or consequential consequences for non-compliance by these influential players in the multilateral system is a stain on the conscience of other members within the multilateral order - Ambundo Muliro