Maker Faire Africa
Folks, it has been quite a while since our discussion on Electricity Burundi.
The reason is simple; I had to take August off to go to Ghana for the Inaugural conference of “Maker Faire Africa”.
For the benefit of those who have not heard about “Maker Faire”, this is an organization that brings the little inventor to the world, and hopefully gets his/her invention to the marketplace.
Since this was the first of its kind in Africa, the organizers were not sure of the turnout.
The first day of the three day event, everybody was apprehensive, not knowing the number of people who would attend.
When the doors were open at the Kofi Annan Centre for Technology in Accra, “WOW”, were we in for a SHOCK. It was standing room only, with more than 350 people in attendance.
The bottom-line is this; the conference was a fantastic success.
The next “Maker Faire Africa” conference is slated to take place in Kenya next year (2010).
So what has this got to do with Electricity in Africa? For starters, William Kamkwamba, the windmill wonder boy (now a 22 year old man) from Malawi was a participant. For those of you who have not heard of William, please go and read about him. I do not have the space to write about him here.
With all the electricity problems going on all over Africa, there was NO electricity interruption during the three days that the conference took place in Accra.
The President of Togo Faure Eyadema, even came to Ghana for two days to negotiate for future supply of electricity and water to his country from Ghana.
I am not going to say the cheetahs have overtaken the hippos in Ghana at present time, but slowly and surely the cheetah population is increasing.
Let’s give them a hand for the improvement.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Electricity Burundi
Our journey to look at the electricity production and needs in Africa has landed us in Burundi.
The lion share of electricity production comes from hydro (this is putting a big smile on my face because it is green!!!).
Electricity is mainly available in the two major cities of Bujumbura (the capital) and Gitega.
Data is very hard to obtain, but it looks like within the two cities, the demand for electricity out strips the production by about 25%, in other words, these two cities need about 25% more than what is available.
Before we think of the situation NOT being bad, let us not forget, the grid leads to the two main cities, the rest of the country is in the DARK.
The population of Burundi is roughly 7,500,000. Of this, approximately 331,000lives in Bujumbura, while 23, lives in Gitega. Folks, more than 90% of the population has NO ACCESS to electricity.
Burundi imports about one-third of her electricity from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This shows why the DRC needs to make sure Inga I, II, and III all need to be working close to 90% if not 100%.
Regardless of what has happened in the past to vis-à-vis civil unrest, this landscape has more hippos than cheetahs.
The lion share of electricity production comes from hydro (this is putting a big smile on my face because it is green!!!).
Electricity is mainly available in the two major cities of Bujumbura (the capital) and Gitega.
Data is very hard to obtain, but it looks like within the two cities, the demand for electricity out strips the production by about 25%, in other words, these two cities need about 25% more than what is available.
Before we think of the situation NOT being bad, let us not forget, the grid leads to the two main cities, the rest of the country is in the DARK.
The population of Burundi is roughly 7,500,000. Of this, approximately 331,000lives in Bujumbura, while 23, lives in Gitega. Folks, more than 90% of the population has NO ACCESS to electricity.
Burundi imports about one-third of her electricity from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This shows why the DRC needs to make sure Inga I, II, and III all need to be working close to 90% if not 100%.
Regardless of what has happened in the past to vis-à-vis civil unrest, this landscape has more hippos than cheetahs.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Electricity Tanzania (TANESCO)
We have arrived at the game reserve of Tanzania, home of the supposedly one of the best game parks in not only Africa, but the whole world.
With so many visitors to this environment, you would think the country would be awash in electricity, you are deadly mistaken.
TANESCO, the State owned electric company, has been terminating caontractual agreement with componies like SAE Power Lines, Associated Transrail Structures Limited, and Dowans Holdings SA Limited to name a few.
Why would a government organization with its gross incompetence, terminate a contract with a private company that they have been doing business with for years? Could it be, somebody is not willing to play ball anymore. Remember this is Africa, the land of rough skids that needs to be greased constantly, for it to remain smooth.
Of late, Tanzania has been suffering the same malady that countries like South Africa, and Congo to name a few have been having. It is called Load-shedding, for the average person, it is called rotating blackouts.
Less than 15% of rural community dwellers, have access to electricity, while less than 60% of urban dwellers have access to electricity.
Folks, Tanzania has been Independent from Colonial Britain for more than 40 years. Sure they are in a better situation than most, but if you are better than the worst, that does not say you are affluent, rich or advance.
The bane of every society is bribery and corruption!
Enough said about this game reserve, there are more hippos in Tanzania than cheetahs period.
With so many visitors to this environment, you would think the country would be awash in electricity, you are deadly mistaken.
TANESCO, the State owned electric company, has been terminating caontractual agreement with componies like SAE Power Lines, Associated Transrail Structures Limited, and Dowans Holdings SA Limited to name a few.
Why would a government organization with its gross incompetence, terminate a contract with a private company that they have been doing business with for years? Could it be, somebody is not willing to play ball anymore. Remember this is Africa, the land of rough skids that needs to be greased constantly, for it to remain smooth.
Of late, Tanzania has been suffering the same malady that countries like South Africa, and Congo to name a few have been having. It is called Load-shedding, for the average person, it is called rotating blackouts.
Less than 15% of rural community dwellers, have access to electricity, while less than 60% of urban dwellers have access to electricity.
Folks, Tanzania has been Independent from Colonial Britain for more than 40 years. Sure they are in a better situation than most, but if you are better than the worst, that does not say you are affluent, rich or advance.
The bane of every society is bribery and corruption!
Enough said about this game reserve, there are more hippos in Tanzania than cheetahs period.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Electricity Malawi (ESCOM)
Welcome to Malawi in the heart of Africa. It took us awhile, but we are here.
To start with, electricity is very “green” (mostly hydro) and that is making me beam with pride. But the amount of electricity being produced would not sustain any appreciable amount of industrial growth, without a supporting act from diesel generator set(s).
So what is in store for us? First, the outfit running the electricity in this environment is called ESCOM. Things are not very pretty. Less than ten percent of the total population is enjoying or shall we say have access to electricity.
Recently, the rate has been bumped up about 50%. Folks, if you are paying electricity at the rate of say K.00 per kilowatt-hour, and with no increase in income, the rate is bumped to K.50 per kilowatt-hour, how would you take it?
What is hindering the increase in electricity production? The answer is the same malady, namely bribery and corruption. A former official of ESCOM has been marred in graft charges. Those currently running ESCOM cannot seem to get their act together.
Our grandparents sacrificed for our parents to do and have it better than they had, and our parents in turn sacrificed so we would have it better than they had, we are supposed to sacrifice for those coming after us. But that is not the case.
Folks, this is one environment where the hippos are easier to find than the cheetahs.
To start with, electricity is very “green” (mostly hydro) and that is making me beam with pride. But the amount of electricity being produced would not sustain any appreciable amount of industrial growth, without a supporting act from diesel generator set(s).
So what is in store for us? First, the outfit running the electricity in this environment is called ESCOM. Things are not very pretty. Less than ten percent of the total population is enjoying or shall we say have access to electricity.
Recently, the rate has been bumped up about 50%. Folks, if you are paying electricity at the rate of say K.00 per kilowatt-hour, and with no increase in income, the rate is bumped to K.50 per kilowatt-hour, how would you take it?
What is hindering the increase in electricity production? The answer is the same malady, namely bribery and corruption. A former official of ESCOM has been marred in graft charges. Those currently running ESCOM cannot seem to get their act together.
Our grandparents sacrificed for our parents to do and have it better than they had, and our parents in turn sacrificed so we would have it better than they had, we are supposed to sacrifice for those coming after us. But that is not the case.
Folks, this is one environment where the hippos are easier to find than the cheetahs.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Electricity Mozambique
Electricity production and availability in Mozambique is very cloudy one to analyze.
On one hand Mozambique seems to be producing more than she is consuming, and if that is the case, then things are very good. In 2008, the electricity production was about 14000 Megawatt-hours, while the consumption was only about 10000 Megawatt-hour. That is a net production of 4000 Megawatt-hours, which on the surface is fantastic. But rural electrification is laughable if not pathetic. If you live in the capital Maputo, then your chances of getting electricity is very good, but move beyond 25 kilometers, and you will be in the dark.
Mozambique, like Ghana (Bui dam) and Republic of Congo (Grand Inga) for starters, the Chinese 800 pound gorilla has entrenched itself with loan for my favorite green (hydro) at Mphanda Nkuwa. This dam is displacing a large segment of the rural population; however, Maputo has taken the position that only those in the immediate area of the dam would be compensated.
Folks, how do you decide who is in the immediate area of a dam and who is not? For the record, a dam is built by dropping one rock or stone at a time. As the rock and the stones pile (saddle dam) up, they tend to hold back the water, thereby creating a reservoir. The higher the saddle, the high the level of water would be, and the more acreage it would cover. The first village to be displaced would be less than a mile away form the saddle, but the last village could be 50 miles or more.
Folks, the idea of the dam is grand and noble, lets give them a hand for that, but the idea of limiting who gets compensation is repugnant if not atrocious.
For the record, Mozambique is one of the poorest countries on the continent of Africa. Corruption is part of this landscape like any of the countries we have visited with this blog, and until that is toned down or eradicated, Mozambique will still be in the dark 10 years from now.
I am tempted to say there are more cheetahs in this reservation than hippos, or probably as many cheetahs as hippos, but the disease of corruption has made the hippos outnumber the cheetahs.
On one hand Mozambique seems to be producing more than she is consuming, and if that is the case, then things are very good. In 2008, the electricity production was about 14000 Megawatt-hours, while the consumption was only about 10000 Megawatt-hour. That is a net production of 4000 Megawatt-hours, which on the surface is fantastic. But rural electrification is laughable if not pathetic. If you live in the capital Maputo, then your chances of getting electricity is very good, but move beyond 25 kilometers, and you will be in the dark.
Mozambique, like Ghana (Bui dam) and Republic of Congo (Grand Inga) for starters, the Chinese 800 pound gorilla has entrenched itself with loan for my favorite green (hydro) at Mphanda Nkuwa. This dam is displacing a large segment of the rural population; however, Maputo has taken the position that only those in the immediate area of the dam would be compensated.
Folks, how do you decide who is in the immediate area of a dam and who is not? For the record, a dam is built by dropping one rock or stone at a time. As the rock and the stones pile (saddle dam) up, they tend to hold back the water, thereby creating a reservoir. The higher the saddle, the high the level of water would be, and the more acreage it would cover. The first village to be displaced would be less than a mile away form the saddle, but the last village could be 50 miles or more.
Folks, the idea of the dam is grand and noble, lets give them a hand for that, but the idea of limiting who gets compensation is repugnant if not atrocious.
For the record, Mozambique is one of the poorest countries on the continent of Africa. Corruption is part of this landscape like any of the countries we have visited with this blog, and until that is toned down or eradicated, Mozambique will still be in the dark 10 years from now.
I am tempted to say there are more cheetahs in this reservation than hippos, or probably as many cheetahs as hippos, but the disease of corruption has made the hippos outnumber the cheetahs.
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Electricity Swaziland
Electricity Swaziland or in this case Swaziland Electric Company (SEC).
Folks, we are now in Mbabane, Swaziland. First appearance leads one to believe that things are going well in this environment, but lets dig deeper and see if they really are. We are going to our analysis by the kilowatt-hour production method instead of the Megawatt of production because that is what is available to us.
For the year ending December 21, 2008; the electricity consumption is roughly 1,300 Megawatt-hour or 1,300,000,000 kilowatt-hour. One would be tempted to think that is a lot and it is, but wait a second, the actual production was approximately 500,000,000 kilowatt-hour. Folks, that is a deficit of approximately 8,000,000,000 kilowatt-hour. That was imported!!! And where was it imported from? Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, or maybe Republic of South Africa. Folks, the information water here is as clear as mud if you get my drift.
There have been proposals and tenders, for new coal-fired power station to produce over 1,000 Megawatt of power, but that has so far not materialized, and until it does, the only thing we have to go with is the current usage and production numbers.
What kind of game do we have on this reserve, cheetahs or hippos? There seem to be a little more hippos than cheetahs, and since majority carries, the hippos seem to be winning.
Folks, we are now in Mbabane, Swaziland. First appearance leads one to believe that things are going well in this environment, but lets dig deeper and see if they really are. We are going to our analysis by the kilowatt-hour production method instead of the Megawatt of production because that is what is available to us.
For the year ending December 21, 2008; the electricity consumption is roughly 1,300 Megawatt-hour or 1,300,000,000 kilowatt-hour. One would be tempted to think that is a lot and it is, but wait a second, the actual production was approximately 500,000,000 kilowatt-hour. Folks, that is a deficit of approximately 8,000,000,000 kilowatt-hour. That was imported!!! And where was it imported from? Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, or maybe Republic of South Africa. Folks, the information water here is as clear as mud if you get my drift.
There have been proposals and tenders, for new coal-fired power station to produce over 1,000 Megawatt of power, but that has so far not materialized, and until it does, the only thing we have to go with is the current usage and production numbers.
What kind of game do we have on this reserve, cheetahs or hippos? There seem to be a little more hippos than cheetahs, and since majority carries, the hippos seem to be winning.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Electricity Lesotho
This is an exercise in futility, but this blog is an equal opportunity, so every country gets their turn.
To start with, Lesotho (LEC) gets her electricity from ESCOM (if you do not know who or what ESKOM is, please go read my last blog).
To start with, less than 18% of the total population of Lesotho have access to electricity. With this kind of number, how can you do any development or exploration. One would be tempted to ask, exploration for what. The answer is simple, Lesotho is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. In simple terms, it is embedded inside South Africa at every possible crossing. It is mountainous. If South Africa is awash in gold, diamond and other resources, there must be a vein or two that have strayed into Lesotho.
But getting back to the gist of the blog, when you no electricity, how can you develop you resource. How about diesel generators, how about coal-fired power stations.
The whole thing is like two divers, sharing the same oxygen tank, and mask. ESKOM can barely supply South Africa with electricity, so how can one expect her to export any to some other country.
I am gong to make it simple and spare both you and I the agony of wondering in this landscape. I cannot seem to find a single cheetah in this zoo, only hippos.
To start with, Lesotho (LEC) gets her electricity from ESCOM (if you do not know who or what ESKOM is, please go read my last blog).
To start with, less than 18% of the total population of Lesotho have access to electricity. With this kind of number, how can you do any development or exploration. One would be tempted to ask, exploration for what. The answer is simple, Lesotho is completely surrounded by the Republic of South Africa. In simple terms, it is embedded inside South Africa at every possible crossing. It is mountainous. If South Africa is awash in gold, diamond and other resources, there must be a vein or two that have strayed into Lesotho.
But getting back to the gist of the blog, when you no electricity, how can you develop you resource. How about diesel generators, how about coal-fired power stations.
The whole thing is like two divers, sharing the same oxygen tank, and mask. ESKOM can barely supply South Africa with electricity, so how can one expect her to export any to some other country.
I am gong to make it simple and spare both you and I the agony of wondering in this landscape. I cannot seem to find a single cheetah in this zoo, only hippos.
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