Clean energy revolution can power change, says Cameron
Former British prime minister David Cameron is leading a campaign to bring security to war-torn countries by helping to provide local, renewable energy networks.
The Council on State Fragility yesterday said it wanted communities to be able to tap into energy resources beyond failing state electricity grids.
It said post-pandemic stimulus plans should take account of the transformative potential of energy innovation, which can break the stranglehold of corrupt and incompetent officials.
“Covid-19 has triggered an unprecedented economic shock for these countries, exacerbating existing vulnerabilities,” said the council in its call for action.
“We have an opportunity to make a quantum leap by expanding clean, affordable energy access to fuel economic recovery and enhance stability. By securing new sources of energy enabled by technological breakthroughs, communities in countries like Yemen and Somalia can find new resilience to rebuild and generate new wealth.
“Fragile states have never been at greater risk of falling behind the rest of the world.
“Expanding energy access is essential to enable these states to escape fragility and achieve growth and development.”
Green technology, for example, solar mini-grids, can unlock opportunities for hundred of millions of people, the report said.
The council is led by Mr Cameron, former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Donald Kaberuka, former head of the African Development Bank.
Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, Sudanese Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok and Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Saeed were among 30 other statesmen who signed the call.
The authors claim renewable solutions are cheaper and more resilient in conflict-affected settings.
Going off-grid is a necessity in many nations where entire cities, such as the Yemeni capital Sanaa, are without a central power supply.
The demand for an energy revolution is targeted at the Group of Seven nations, which is chaired by the UK in 2021.
“This should be a priority for development: to reduce poverty and increase stability, for those in the world’s most vulnerable places and for us all,” Mr Cameron said.
Financial commitments for off-grid solutions in countries with the largest shortfall amount to just more than 1 per cent of total development aid. The authors urged the private sector and aid agencies to support investment.