[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 160 (2014), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages 16119-16120]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     THE FUTURE OF ENERGY IN AFRICA

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2014

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, in the 21st century, energy has 
become vital to modern societies. We no longer have to shop for food 
each day because refrigerators keep food cold and preserved longer--
whether in our homes, in restaurants or during the process of trade. 
Cell phones, computers, televisions and other electronics require 
electrical power to allow us to lead more productive lives in the 
modern world. As we have seen in the current Ebola epidemic, it is 
necessary that medicines and plasma be kept cold so that they do not 
lose their potency.
  It is both unfortunate and unnecessary that more than half a billion 
Africans, especially in rural areas, live without electricity.
  Perhaps, the great irony is that Africa has more than enough energy 
capacity to join the rest of the world in utilizing modern technologies 
that require regular energy supplies. Ironically, 30% of global oil and 
gas discoveries over the past five years have been in sub-Saharan 
Africa. Yet currently, only 290 million out of 914 million Africans 
have access to electricity, and the total number lacking such access 
continues to rise. Bioenergy, mainly fuel wood and charcoal, is still a 
major source of fuel. Hydropower accounts for about 20% of total power 
supply in the region, but less than 10% of its estimated potential has 
been utilized.
  A hearing I convened last week examined the current and prospective 
impact of U.S. government programs such as Power Africa and Electrify 
Africa, as well as private international energy projects.
  Last year, Chairman Royce--backed by Ranking Members Eliot Engel and 
Karen Bass--and I introduced H.R. 2548--the Electrify Africa Act. This 
legislation seeks to build the African power sector--from increased 
production to more effective provision of energy. H.R. 2548 passed the 
House this past May, but has languished in the Senate ever since. If no 
Senate action is taken during the remaining days of this session of 
Congress, this legislation will have to be reintroduced next year.
  Days after the Electrify Africa Act was introduced in the House, the 
Administration announced its Power Africa initiative and has committed 
up to $7.81 billion in various types of U.S. technical and credit 
assistance and other aid to build the capacity of the African power 
sector.
  It seems that every few months, there is yet another discovery of 
petroleum or natural gas in Africa. Nevertheless, African countries 
remain net importers of energy, and the distribution of power from the 
many new sources of energy in Africa remains unfulfilled. This 
constrains trade and economic progress, social development and overall 
quality of life in Africa. Even now, one country--South Africa--
accounts for two-thirds of Africa's electricity generation. All of 
Africa produces less than 10% of the energy produced in the United 
States.
  Meanwhile, people across the continent are forced to meet their 
energy needs by gathering or purchasing charcoal or wood, often putting 
women in dangerous situations too far from home. Even when such fuels 
are safely brought back home, their use produces indoor pollution that 
too often contributes to sickness and early death.
  The current situation cannot continue much longer. Even with 13% of 
the world's population, Africa represents only 4% of the world's energy 
demand, but this situation is changing. According to a report this year 
by the International Energy Agency (IEA), since 2000, sub-Saharan 
Africa has seen rapid economic growth and a rise in energy use by 45%.
  We often speak of the rise in African economies, but for that rise to 
be truly realized, the rates of power generation and supply must match 
the growing demand for power. Those cell phones that are transforming 
all forms of commerce in Africa must be charged. The consumer goods the 
growing African middle class is purchasing need electricity. Africans 
are increasingly unwilling to accept the blackouts and power surges 
that have made life so difficult for so long. Africans who have 
traveled or lived elsewhere know this doesn't have to be their lot in 
life. In fact, even those who don't travel have seen how others live on 
their televisions--when power is available for them to operate.
  During the colonial period in Africa, countries were limited in their 
industrialization, but that period is now long past. It must no longer 
be used as the reason why African countries are behind in the process 
of industrialization or power generation. Today, this lag in power 
generation is more due to inadequate or unrealistic regulation, lack of 
finance for significant power generation projects, underinvestment in 
power generation even when financing is available, the disconnection of 
rural populations from national and regional power grids, high costs 
for electricity and other factors.
  These obstacles can be overcome, but they will require international 
and national collaboration, public-private partnerships and the will of 
governments and their citizens. We will not get to the point we believe 
is necessary overnight, but we will not get there at all if we do not 
take serious measures now and implement them faithfully and completely.
  African people, like people everywhere, deserve the benefits that 
modern technology has produced. Africa has become a prized global 
consumer market, but that market cannot be fully realized without 
electricity. Anyone visiting

[[Page 16120]]

stores in Africa can see the many modern technologies offered to 
African consumers today; they merely need guaranteed electricity for 
those goods to be useful.
  With regular electricity, young students can not only study under 
electrical light, but also use computers to advance their studies. 
Homemakers can keep food fresh longer with refrigerators and can 
stretch household income farther. And hospitals can preserve blood 
plasma and medicines that can save lives.
  The two panels at the hearing I held last week examined international 
and national programs to achieve regular, sufficient electrical power 
in Africa and private projects to add to the supply of energy on the 
continent. The future of energy in Africa is brighter than it has been 
in the past, but diligent actions must be taken now to seize the 
opportunities that lay before us.

                          ____________________