The Federal Republic of Somalia

The Federal Republic of Somalia

Positions for International Renewable Energy Agency

I. Combatting Climate Change by Increasing Urban Energy Efficiency

The Federal Republic of Somalia is in its infancy as an energy consumer. Our people have been beset by famine and conflict for many years and the result has been an energy sector that is barely functioning. As our military in combination with both Western allies and African Union forces beats back the threat posed by the Al Shebab Insurgency, our people emerge blinking into a world of possibilities. Our current energy needs at the household level are met by diesel generators. These outfits, while providing for individual power needs, do not adequately address the issue in a large city. They also give off harmful fumes that negatively impact our people. In an effort to address the obvious harmful effects of such appliances and to provide for the future the Somali government has begun exploring the possibility of using solar and wind power. These methods of producing power, whether as a primary or augmenting source, lessen the reliance on harmful hydrocarbons such as fuel and coal.

It must be noted that Somalia is not in the same position as our neighbors. We suffer from great instability, but our people are resilient. Any solution that we discuss must have the added effect of generating stability for our citizens. To this end, we have recently hosted a Renewable Energy Forum. This forum, in partnership with the United Nations, provided a chance for donors to meet with both IGO solutions and those from the private sector. Michael Keating, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General for Somalia, highlighted that many conflicts in Somalia center around scare resources. As other developing nation states have progressed, they inevitably have gone down the same routes for energy production that more developed state have. This has meant developing an unhealthy relationship with fossil fuels or nuclear energy. Since the stability of the country is not quite ready for investment in large scale energy projects, Somalia offers a unique opportunity for public and private solutions to building or rebuilding urban centers that boast greater efficiency.

The Federal Republic of Somalia is looking forward to working with other member states to create opportunities for sustainable progress in the developing world. One solution we would like to see discussed is the possibility of a donor conference where nations like ours can shop our needs to interested private and public vendors. This would allow creation of urban centers in Somalia while allowing our government to represent our people adequately and preserve our sovereignty.

II. Assessing the Socio-economic Impact of Wind and Solar Energy.

All over the world nations are coming to grips with the impact conventional energy solutions are having on their populations. Science has shown that billions of dollars are lost each year in developed nations from the loss of work associated with traditional hydrocarbon fuel use. For people within the Federal Republic of Somalia, however, the questions go much deeper. Current energy demands are met either by small diesel generators or by the burning of such harmful materials as animal dung. This rudimentary stage, a byproduct of Somalia’s unfortunate history of colonial occupation and victimization by disasters both natural and man-made, offers a unique chance for growth and development. Somalia affirms agreements it has reached with the United Nations in setting up a Green Climate Fund. By committing to a sustainable growth model in our energy sector, Somalia underlines the importance of not only our peoples’ health, but also a long-term commitment to stability.

For Somalia, green energy in the form of wind and solar offers a chance for the root causes of conflicts to be addressed. These conflicts, often centered around the scarce precious resources that exist, could be alleviated to a degree by the implementation of solar and would solutions. Farmers would be able to grow their crops and villages would be able to provide drinking water for their residents. The socio-economic impacts for Somali citizens go far beyond the normal considerations. Coupled with the health benefits and the stability are the investment opportunities such industries bring. By creating both private and public-sector opportunities, solar and wind energy go a long way to rebuilding the shattered society that the proud Somali people have reclaimed from both insurgency and colonial powers. An additional side effect of reducing reliance on fuels like charcoal is to remove a significant source of funding for the Al Shabaab insurgent group, who uses it their chief export.

The Federal Republic of Somalia is seeking agreements with other UN member states that would increase investment in growing the solar and wind sectors. Efforts such as the Green Climate Fund and the Sustainable Energy for All’s Renewable Energy Forum have offered a chance for Somalia to interface with the UN and other donors while offering domestic private sector companies a chance to market their solutions to potential investors as well. One goal of any negotiations would be to enable the Somali government to retain its sovereignty by reducing the reliance on imported energy. By doing this the normal arc that nations have had to follow as they climb up the development ladder can be avoided and Somalia will be able to join its neighbors, not only as a recipient of aide but as an equal.