Access to cleaner, more affordable energy for people worldwide is a current priority for the United Nations. But what exactly do African countries need in order to foster renewable energies? This will be the focus of a conference arranged by the African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA) taking place from 29 June to 1 July in the Nigerian capital of Abuja.
Experts in legislation, technology, project development, finance and African leapfrogging will advise at the Power Kick for Africa 2011 – Renewable Energy and Gender conference. “We want to identify concrete implementation possibilities for the participants,” says Ansgar Kiene, Director Africa Liaison Office of the World Future Council and conference organiser. Delivery of feasible renewable energy solutions will be highlighted.
The conference will be opened by Elizabeth Thabethe, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry in South Africa. Two prominent councillors of the World Future Council will take part: Hafsat Abiola-Costello, China-Africa Bridge and ‘Alternative Nobel Prize’ laureate and Dipal C. Barua, Bright Green Energy Foundation, Bangladesh. Experts include Thembani Bukula, Head Electricity Regulation, NERSA, South Africa, Inigo Sabater Eizaguirre, Vestas, Dr. Rose Mwebaza, Regional Expert on Gender and Climate Change Adaptation, UNDP/African Adaptation Programme, Uganda and Prof. Salah Arafa, School of Sciences and Engineering, American University in Cairo, Egypt, among others.
Solar-power for football fans
The energy issue is also a women’s issue. Better health, education, quality of life – African women can disproportionately benefit from electrification. Thus, gender as a main determinant of energy resource access, utilisation, opportunities and control will be highlighted at the Solar-Powered Public Viewing of the Women’s Football World Cup match between Germany and Nigeria on 30 June, organised by the World Future Council and the Heinrich Böll Stiftung Nigeria.
To supply reliable and sustainable power for the football screening in Abuja, the venue will be equipped with solar cells by the event partner Bosch Solar Energy AG. The event will feature interviews with Nigerian footballers, exciting football played on the big screen and cool drinks from the solar-powered refrigerator. Ideally, the surplus of energy production at the venue will be fed into the Nigerian national electricity grid.
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