African countries will step with common policy concerning energy at the COP27 climate talks in Egypt next month. They plan to assert a common energy position that identifies the necessity for fossil fuels in the short term. The continent’s top energy official said it is necessary due to expand economies and access to electricity.
The African position is criticized by environmental groups. Their common energy position toward fossil fuels could overshadow global climate talks in Sharm El-Sheikh. COP27 has aspirations to continue on the previous Glasgow summit. It aims to push financing targets of rich nations to help poorer countries. Poorer countries got much less than the promised $100 billion a year by 2020.
Fossil fuels mean less electricity poverty
We recognize that some countries may have to rely on fossil fuels for the time being, but there is no one-size-fits-all solution, according to Amani Abou-Zeid, African Union (AU) Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.
Abou-Zeid said that it is not the time to exclude others but to customize solutions for a context. She added that every country must find its solution using the energy sources available.
According to an AU technical study, oil and coal will play a “critical role” in the continent in expanding modern energy access in the short to medium term. The study examined 45 African countries.
Renewables are a longer-term option
Along with renewable energy, Africa sees natural gas and nuclear energy playing important roles, as the continent focuses on new technology and decarburization measures to reduce carbon pollution from its fossil fuels industry.
Africa is regarded as a global renewable hub due to its vast solar, wind, and hydrogen potential. But, there are also approximately 600 million people in its Sub-Saharan region who lack access to electricity. Nearly 1 billion citizens lack access to clean energy for cooking too.
The main goal of African governments now is to bring the people out of energy poverty and poverty in general.