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Biddho.com Eritrea - Rising To The Challenges!    

Thursday
Dec 04th
Africa News arrow News arrow The Clean Future of Eritrea
The Clean Future of Eritrea Print E-mail
Written by Merhawie   
Monday, 31 December 2007
ImageAsseb, Eritrea, the last town to be liberated from Ethiopian occupation (29 May 1991) is the first major city in Eritrea and only the second in Sub-Saharan Africa to make a major investment in clean energy. On 11 December 2007 the Asseb Wind Park was inaugurated.

Based on the estimated cost (AfriWEA - Eritrea) of the pilot project, it’s cost could be repaid by the savings on cost and the value of the reduction of carbon offset within a short 5 years. This fiscal value would translate into environmental value as it would allow for the economic development of the town and region without compromising the natural environment.

The Asseb Wind Park’s expansion would not only introduce a new source of electricity for the local communities but also encourage the local population’s sensitivities to the environmental impact of development. Acceptance by the average local is a key litmus test for the introduction of new technologies.

With local’s acceptance however, further investment in clean energy technologies, to wean the economy off dependency of foreign energy sources will surely follow. Bartholomew Nyarko-Mensah, the senior deputy representative of the UNDP, “…the critical issue should be the ability to replicate this kind of clean energy sources. In this regard, I really appreciate the commitment of the government of Eritrea” (UNDP inaugurates wind energy systems in Assab, 18 December 2007).

This acknowledgment by the UNDP deputy representative is a nod to the environmentally progressive goals of the Government of Eritrea (also noted in a previous post, Eritrea: Most Progressive 16 year old). While a government can invest substantial time and energy into environmental preservation, without the support and engagement of local communities, these efforts will be for naught. These major on-grid investments however, are less likely to impact broad swathes of communities because few towns and villages in Eritrea, and Africa in general are “on-grid.”

Further projects from the Eritrean Department of Energy have focused on bringing a combination of solar and wind power to isolated villages. This provides for lighting at night which lengthens the functionally productive period for villagers. Providing energy to small villages from renewable means also reduces the biomass requirements, furthering another environmental goal of increasing forested land in Eritrea.

These forest lands were destroyed during the various colonial periods in Eritrea including those of Italy and Ethiopia (Louise Latt. "Eritrea Re-photographed: Landscape Changes in the Eritrean Highlands 1890-2004"). However, Eritreans are engaged in planted nearly a million trees every year to replace the fallen forests. With millions more trees to clean the air and less CO2 released to produce electricity, a cleaner future will prevail. With Eritrea’s actions as a model, Africans elsewhere will surely be able to replicate the success!

 

Comments
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Jonathan - My lovely country   | 81.99.199.xxx | 2008-01-01 14:50:19
My lovely country Eritrea, Keeps Going-and always making the future of the generation to come comfortable and full of light!
Wishing all eritreans all over the world, whose heart is always in Eritea, happy prosperous peace filled years!
Awet Nhafash And all victory to Warsai Y'kealo generations!
Jonathan
woyane   | 80.35.57.xxx | 2008-01-02 00:57:04
Dreamers,

Don't you know?Eritrea is the world poorest even below somalia in international standerdes and the worest country regarding press freedom.In 2009,you will never have a country under the name Eritrea,we will crush you and we are already prepared for that!
Gezae Tekie - Brave people and gallant Defen   | 68.218.141.xxx | 2008-01-02 01:04:44
Despite what some non caring pseudo-opposition groups say and do; as a veteran fighter I know the hardships that our people and our troops go through and I would like to say you are courages; you are dedicated; determined. You stick at the job and get things sorted and squared away. Really, your sk**l, commitment, and professionalism have allowed you to punch for above you weight. Always understand that no matter the tone of political difference in our country we are, always have been and always will be fircely proud of you. we have the utmost admiration for what you do in our name and our blessed country.
Thank you for making us proud to be part of this wonderful country
Happy new year and merry christmas to our brave people and gallant Defense force[Yikaalo & Warsal]
Forword untill victory
Gezae [Sagm]
ambabi - Why is that ?   | 65.102.148.xxx | 2008-01-03 06:02:43
Ethiohelloagain must learn from the new Eritrea, I do not understand why are some Ethiohelloagainns do not want to see Eritrean progress. Just because Eritrea is doing well in its economy in the time of un wanted war mood ; how come one see this nation as an enemy ? Being jelous is a k**ler in the long run. I do not think any Ethiohelloagainn aggression can stop any of the Eritrean development path. Ethiohelloagain had better do the same leaving war mongor behinde and use its all resorces for its own ppl. Above all Ethiohelloagain must stop being dependent on foreign powers such as US. We have heard enought about the long age of Ethiohelloagain, but we never heard its independence until this time. Ethiohelloagain have never been independent from the manubulation of foreign powers and have never been able feed its ppl. At the present time we are witnessing that Ethiohelloagain is totaly sold out and dying in negboring country to satisfy its masters. I don't see any nation in the world s...
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