Natasha Musesengwe and Lancelot Tsikira Writes
Hydrocarbons like coal and gasoline have been the primary fuels for quite some time. Later, hydroelectricity and nuclear power became widely used. The aftermath of this has been detrimental to society and the environment.
Environmentalists have been raising concerns, and India, for example, is one of the most polluted countries in the world. It uses energy mainly from non-renewable fossil fuels like gas, diesel, coal, and lignite.
The increasing demand and consumption of energy derived from non-renewable resources are leading to the progressive depletion of fossil fuel supplies, increasing global warming and rising greenhouse gas emissions, among other environmental issues.
Renewable energy is sustainable since the natural resources are generally abundant and are replenished naturally.
Implementing sustainable energy solutions like solar or wind power can be used to generate electricity since they are inexhaustible and widely available to almost everyone.
Solar energy uses photovoltaic panels which convert sunlight into electricity.
Wind energy uses turbines which convert wind kinetic energy into electricity, and hydro energy uses water flow to generate power.
The use of renewable energy helps mitigate climate change since there is limited emission of greenhouse gases.
Reduced carbon emissions and air pollution from energy production enhance the reliability, security, and resilience of the power grid.
Renewable energy also incurs lower operational and maintenance costs.
Inclusive economic growth is the single most effective means of reducing poverty and boosting prosperity.
Most economic activity is impossible without adequate, reliable, and reasonably priced modern energy.
This is why access to energy is so important in the fight against poverty.
Poverty can be tackled without costing the Earth.
Energy independence reduces reliance on fossil fuels and enhances energy security.
Of late, sustainable energy solutions have gained prominence with the ongoing rise in global energy consumption.
Solar energy can help communities without access to dependable power by providing them with affordable, sustainable electricity, which has the potential to greatly decrease energy poverty and inequality.
Renewables were previously cost-prohibitive, but prices have come down, particularly for solar, making it a desirable option for use in developing countries.
The International Renewable Energy Agency found that between 2010 and 2019, the cost of solar photovoltaic panels dropped globally by 82 percent, while converted solar power fell by 47 percent.
A centralized power system ought to be introduced since an estimated 940 million people—about 13 percent of the world population—do not have access to electricity, with the majority being in rural areas and sub-Saharan Africa.
According to Nepal Fellowship, something as simple as a hydraulic ram pump a water pump powered by hydropower can completely transform lives in remote communities.
Zimbabwe is targeting 2,100MW, including 1,575MW of solar, 275MW of bioenergy, 150MW of small hydropower, and 100MW of wind energy by 2030.
Hakwata is one of the most vulnerable areas in Chipinge district, falling below the poverty line. It received a 200KW solar microgrid system supported by a 900kWh battery system that is powering the school, clinic, shops, and providing reliable electricity to over 80 households.
With the solar system in place, the next steps involve training local technicians to maintain the system and implementing energy use monitoring.
The installation will provide the community and its essential facilities with a reliable, clean power source.
Equipped with a battery system, it ensures uninterrupted electricity even during periods of low sunlight and at night.
Additionally, solar energy will drive borehole pumps at schools, clinics, and shops, providing the community with clean water.
The water can also be used to grow crops and rear livestock. The produce is sold back to the community, and this funds the cost of the solar power.
Governments, industries, and international organizations across the world have increasingly recognized the pivotal role of renewable energy in ensuring a sustainable future.
One of the key drivers behind the adoption of clean energy has been proactive policy initiatives.
These policies are designed to stimulate investment, encourage innovation, and lower the entry barrier for communities and private players.
For instance, India’s National Solar Mission aimed to establish the country as a global leader in solar energy.
Through financial incentives, tax breaks, and large-scale solar park development, it helped bring down the cost of solar energy and made it more accessible.
Germany’s Energiewende policy marked a groundbreaking commitment to reducing fossil fuel use, while promoting solar and wind through feed-in tariffs.
In Africa, Kenya’s auction-based approach to energy procurement led to the development of the Lake Turkana Wind Power Project, the continent’s largest wind farm.
The United States also demonstrated its commitment through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which earmarked hundreds of billions of dollars to support clean energy deployment and energy equity.
Alongside policy, technological advancements have played a crucial role in improving the efficiency and affordability of renewable energy.
Breakthroughs in solar technology, such as the development of perovskite solar cells, promise higher conversion efficiency at lower manufacturing costs.
Battery storage innovations like lithium-ion batteries now allow for the storage of excess solar and wind power, making renewable energy a more reliable and consistent option.
This has enabled regions like South Australia to operate with a significant percentage of their electricity derived from renewables, using large-scale batteries like the Hornsdale Power Reserve to stabilize the grid.
In Rwanda, decentralized microgrids powered by solar panels and batteries have brought electricity to rural communities that had never been connected to a national grid.
Smart microgrid solutions are increasingly being adopted in parts of Asia and Africa, combining affordability with energy independence.
Floating solar farms, such as the one at Singapore’s Tengeh Reservoir, also present innovative solutions for land-scarce countries, enabling clean energy generation without occupying productive land.
Global cooperation and knowledge sharing have further accelerated the renewable energy transition, especially in the Global South.
International organizations like the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) offer technical expertise, market insights, and policy advice to over 160 member countries. Initiatives like the Africa Clean Energy Corridor and the Small Island Developing States Lighthouse Initiative demonstrate the impact of shared knowledge and cross-border collaboration.
The Green Climate Fund provides crucial financial assistance for renewable energy projects in vulnerable regions.
In Sudan, for example, GCF-funded solar irrigation systems have replaced diesel pumps, empowering smallholder farmers to grow food sustainably.
South-South cooperation has also flourished, with China exporting affordable solar technology and offering training programs in several African nations.
India’s International Solar Alliance brings together more than 100 countries to collaborate on solar energy projects, finance mechanisms, and technology transfer.
Additionally, the United Nations Development Programme and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization have piloted renewable energy projects in countries like Haiti, Nepal, and Ethiopia, equipping communities with skills and infrastructure for long-term sustainability.
Renewable energy will not get depleted and has lower maintenance costs, which makes it a better option.
However, it has high upfront costs, is intermittent, and also has limited storage capabilities.
Yet, the collective efforts in policy, technology, and global cooperation demonstrate that a renewable energy future is not only possible but practical.
With continued collaboration and investment, renewable energy can play a transformative role in lifting communities out of poverty, mitigating the climate crisis, and fostering inclusive economic growth without compromising the health of the planet.