Universal Accessibility Of Energy Services

As the global population increases exponentially, having passed six billion in 1999, the world population is expected to be 8.9 billion by the year 2050. The worlds energy consumption will increase by an estimated 54 percent by 2025. Energy demand in the industrialized world is projected to grow 1.2 percent per year. Energy is a critical component of sustained economic growth and improved standards of living. One of the major requirements for sustaining human progress is an adequate source of energy. As the world’s technological enhancements and standards of living improve, so too does their appetite for electricity.

Recently, a report by REN21 (Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century) reported two facts that set the stage for the growth of green energy. First, in 2015, the global economy experienced the largest annual increase of renewable energy; second, developing economies spent more than developed countries on increasing their use of green energy. Another notable fact to mention is that the substantial increase in green energy

Anderson, D. United Nations Development Programme, United Nations. & World Energy Council. (2000). World Energy Assessment: Energy and the challenge of sustainability. New York, NY: United Nations Development Programme

Green growth perceived as a win-win situation. The independence from fossil fuels and the “scalability,” renewable energy can help with both economic and social development, especially in poor, rural, or remote areas that are lacking in energy access (Ottmar Edenhofer, 514).

When we flip a light switch, or plug our laptop or cell phone charger into the wall, we expect that electricity will flow to illuminate the room or to power up the device at the other end of the cord. But what if the power companies weren’t able to generate enough electricity to make these actions possible? As the United States’ population increases and continues to undergo economic growth, this demand for energy will only continue to grow. The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that “the world’s energy needs could be 50% higher in 2030 than they are today” [1]. And while Americans only make up about 5% of the world’s population, we consume more than 20% of the world’s energy supply [2].

There is a great correlation between development and accessibility of electricity. “Excluding South Africa, the entire installed generation capacity of sub-Saharan Africa is only 28 Gigawatts, equivalent to that of Argentina” (World Bank). Providing electricity can lead many investors in sub-Saharan countries and also can generate small business to the local people such as welding, shaving and many more jobs.

Burkina Faso’s energy resources are limited to four (4) hydropower installations. All the hydrocarbons need to fuel the country are imported from the neighbouring countries having access to the sea, because Burkina Faso does not have any domestic oil resource (Ouédraogo, 2010). Burkina Faso is among the poorest countries in the world and the GDP is evaluated to $12.88 billion in 2013 (World Bank, 2013). Only 18% of the population has access to electricity including 40% in urban area and 3% in rural area. Burkina Faso has the highest electricity’s price in Africa; and is approaching 35 US cents the kWh due to the high price of the fuel imports (Briceño-Garmendia and Domínguez-Torres, 2011).

There is a great understandable hunger for energy in the world. Increases uses of energy are strongly correlated with the gross domestic product

Energy is vital for not only economic development but also health. In the developing countries, governments should make efforts on decreasing energy poverty that have negative impacts on economic improvement and public health. The number of people who currently uses modern energy should rise as the developing world governments take actions to reduce social costs and to increase social benefits by gradually spreading modern energy to their people in rural

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) had a disproportionate access to electricity compared to all the other developing regions for the period 2000-12, ranging between 26-35% in its urban areas and 10-15% in its rural areas were about 70% of its population dwell. This scenario may look alarming but it presents SSA a springboard to leapfrog to renewable energy sources hence also reducing the carbon footprint. However, in order for the transition from energy poverty to energy sustenance to occur, multiple interventions need to take place. This study had answered the following fundamental questions 1) What was the generation capacity in Sub-Saharan Africa from 2000-12 compared to the other developing regions of the world? 2) What were the major sources of energy generated and the cost of generation? 3) What were the challenges that the energy sector in SSA face and what were the possible solutions for these challenges? 4) What were the major emissions produced by SSA and how can these emissions reduce to reverse the adverse effects of climate change in SSA and the world? This study has put forward possible strategies that will need a coordinated effort by SSA policy

With American population expected to increase by approximately fifty percent over the next fifty years, some sort of energy reform is needed (Lehrman 2). The most commonly proposed idea is for America to stop relying so heavily on fossil fuels, and to turn its focus onto renewable sources of energy, such as solar power and hydroelectricity (Energy Information Administration). If the United States could realize the benefits of renewable energy, then much of the world’s energy problems could be solved.

Target 7.1 is measurable, as easier access to affordable, reliable and modern energy services becomes more common. It may be indicated by end user prices, the scale of electrification in areas, and the relative share of modern energy worldwide. As for target 7.2, a figure needs to be put on the target share of renewable energy to allow for measurement against a set standard. For 7.3, improvement in overall efficiency may be tracked using a production to usage ratio or by trends in energy intensities. In regard to targets 7.a and 7.b, investment in the development of sustainable energy and the energy infrastructure will serve as a viable indicator of progress. Summing up, all targets are measurable to quite an extent.

Currently, it's clear that there is an immense problem with the prospect of society's energy needs for the future. Such a large dependency on limited fossil fuels are already dampening the world's economy, and following this path will simply ensure a destitute future. However, changes could be made in today's time to prevent such an event from occurring, but it will require many separate state entities to work together and no longer undermine each other's attempts at reform. Some alternatives to fossil fuels include solar, hydro, and wind power, but replacing the resources would only be a small step to protecting the future. A more necessary change would be the

Currently within Uganda, and the greater Eastern African Community, there exists an energy crisis that is heavily affecting the economic stability within the region. The average electrification rate within the EAC as of 2014 was 14%. (energyaccessreview, esmap) Comparatively, Uganda’s average electrification rate is 4%, while Sub-Saharan Africa’s electrification rate is 31% and the average electrification rate worldwide is 81%.(iea.org) Being that Uganda is so far behind the rest of the world in terms of energy production and distribution to its people, President Museveni and his counsel have decided to make the production of green energy one of their top priorities.(newvision) The goal as it stands, is to ultimately increase the

The ratification of the UN Sustainable Development Goals is a significant step towards the creation of a modern world by 2030. The 17 goals cover wide ranging aspects that ensure everyone’s human rights are met. Additionally, these goals provide a pathway towards success and prosperity for all future generations, i.e. they recognize that Earth cannot sustain our current habits indefinitely. In this regard, one of the fundamental goals is number seven, ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all CITATION Sus15 l 4105 [1].