INVEST MORE IN SHIFT TO CLEAN, RENEWABLE ENERGY

Media/news company

Mwananchi Communications Limited

What you need to know:

Transition to the clean energy gained momentum a decade or so ago, but many projects that kicked off amid pomp and pageantry have either stalled or are moving at a snail’s pace.

Shifting to clean energy is inevitable. Vision 2050 is a clear indication of where the main source of energy will come from.
Overreliance on fossil fuels has already dealt a blow to the environment. Various adverse effects, some of which irreversible, have been caused by the carbon dioxide-emitting sources of energy.
Tanzania contributes too little in the production of carbon dioxide emissions, but still share proportional environmental effects with developed nations.
Indeed, this needs clean energy solution.
Transition to the clean energy gained momentum a decade or so ago, but many projects that kicked off amid pomp and pageantry have either stalled or are moving at a snail’s pace.
The complete transition is slightly over two decades to come, but the current pace leaves a lot to be desired. Wind power generation has potential to contribute to the national grid significantly, but there is a lot to be done to make the project more vibrant and contributing to the economy.
A few African countries like Morocco have made big strides. One third of its power needs come from clean energy despite being an oil-rich nation.
Tanzania joined the clean energy bandwagon a few years ago with various ambitious projects, which promised a complete shift from fuels.
However, many stakeholders at different occasions still raise the same challenges of poor investment, poor knowledge among public official and low participation of communities in the projects.
Clean energy can save the country lots of money, which is spent annually on importation of oil besides reducing the rate of deforestation.
Wood is still a predominant energy source of energy for majority of households in Tanzania. Unfortunately, increasing demand is threatening wildlife and forests.
Tanzania is credited for having an abundance of clean energy resources, so the government should heed calls to speed up the transition.