African countries urged to resist pressure to abandon fossil fuels

Developed nations should not pressure Zimbabwe and other African countries to abandon fossil fuels, as alternative energy sources remain costly and could hinder economic growth, Russian energy expert Dr Sergey Brilev has said.

Speaking at an international sustainable energy conference in Port Louis, Mauritius, Dr Brilev, who is the president of the Global Energy Association, emphasised that the transition to greener energy is not a "one-size-fits-all" model.

"What works for developed countries may not be suitable for African nations, and vice versa," he said. "Countries need to balance their development interests with the transition to green energy."

His remarks come as environmentalists push for a transition to greener energy by 2030. However, Zimbabwe has expressed reservations about the rapid shift, choosing instead to invest in thermal power projects, such as Hwange Thermal Power Station Units 7 and 8, to stabilise electricity generation. The government has also committed to researching ways to minimise carbon emissions at power stations.

Dr Brilev noted that different countries face unique energy challenges, making universal energy policies impractical. He cited Russia's inability to exploit wind energy and questioned why African nations should adopt energy solutions that are more fashionable in the West than practical for their own needs.

Dr Brilev also highlighted the importance of employing technologies to reduce emissions from coal and raised concerns about the disposal of solar panels at the end of their lifespan.

"You can't apply universal recipes; you have to look at the interests of people," he said. "Lithium is not a solution in Russia and Canada, so why should we introduce solutions that may make energy less affordable and less available in Africa?"

He stressed that industrial development remains reliant on fossil fuels, as solar and wind energy are currently insufficient for large-scale economic expansion.

His sentiments were echoed by Dr Abel Didier Tella, director-general of the Association of Power Utilities of Africa, who underscored the need for Africa to exploit all available energy sources to meet growing demand.

"The African Union Commission stated clearly that, for the time being, all African countries should use available energy sources wisely," Dr Tella said. "We have an abundance of fossil fuel. The real issue is determining the right transition strategy because Africa's population will reach two billion, with half of them under 30 years old and in need of reliable energy."

Engineer Swinage Chikwedze, who works with a Zimbabwean renewable energy start-up, noted that energy deficits have created opportunities for solar and wind power. However, financial constraints remain a major challenge to implementation.

"We are trying to build a 50-megawatt solar farm and have acquired all necessary licences, but our limitation is finances," she said. "The solar farm will feed into the national grid, but we are still searching for investors."

The conference, held under the theme "Regional to Global", explored Africa's energy challenges and the need for sustainable solutions in the face of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation.

Experts from Russia, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Kenya, and Zimbabwe discussed the importance of collaboration between governments, the private sector, and development partners to build a stable energy future.

Dr Brilev concluded by reinforcing the need for a diverse energy mix, saying, "You can't guarantee a sustainable and affordable energy supply without thinking of a viable mix."