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mustiky76
Korea
3 Posts |
 Posted - 15 Jan 2006 : 15:13:26
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Hello All,
I was watching a documentary about wave energy power solution at National Geographic Channel. This documentary has woke me up to launch this thread as if Gambian can make an observation to solve it's energy problem with NAWEC.
This is a technology that enable power to be havested from the sea-wave, ocean tide and any form of water running. There are success stories to this technology which I am sure Gambia could be feasible for this kind of project. We have the ocean, we have river Gambia, we have high speed running stream in Numi Jurunkou, the "Miniminiyang long" and other water spots in the country where we can get access to wave energy. Is a great initiative that we can call for our government of other sectors to consider exploring this option.
Scarcity of electric energy is contributing to the slow down of our country and has been an issue for the past and present government. It's seems that we getting less than what we expect in solving the energy crisis in the Gambia by purchasing manual generator year after year and still be are at minus zero when it come to electricity. NAWEC as an entity is not fullfilling the energy needs of the Gambian and they do have cut and on's every now and then to rationalize the power need of urban Gambia, while rural Gambia still remain in darkness. Wave energy can be an ulternative if the authorities can research more on it and deploy researchers on this for a test.
I will like to refer you to few site where you can read some insight about Wave energy. http://www.wavegen.co.uk/ http://www.worldenergy.org/wec-geis/publications/reports/ser/wave/wave.asp
Let's discuss.
Bye for now.
Mustik
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Is good to think about home!! |
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sankahjang
USA
78 Posts |
Posted - 16 Jan 2006 : 08:36:06
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| I think it will nice to discuss some thing like that since electricity is very important in the technological development of a nation.But my worry is this type of thing caanot be carried out by an individual, at least not easily.It is the government of the Gambia who should go into exploring way which can ease the frequent power shotage the country is facing. Perhaps the government knew about this possibility, and maybe it is just jammeh's july 22 dream of 98% country wide electrification. I hope the government do some thing about the electricity problems frequently faced gambian.PEACE! |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 18:10:09
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Wave energy may be a solution, but what about solar energy?
Recently, I came back from a 5-weeks trip to Gambia (I visited my husband's family), and as always, good old NAWEC did a lot to crack my nerves  .
On the whole, I got used quite well again to the lack of current in the Gambia. I am not an American-way-of-life-junkie. But sometimes you want to read, watch TV or work at the Computer without a noisy, air polluting generator, enjoy music without using poisonous batteries.
So not for the first time I asked myself why African countries don't take their electricity from what they have in plenty - SUNLIGHT? Why do they still depend on the 'dirty' (oil!!!) and unreliable energy providing systems the industrial countries sold to them?
Wake up, NAWEC!
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Jack
Belgium
384 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 18:39:15
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Serenata
I do agree with you but as you probably know solar panels are very expensive and far above the financial possibilities of all Gambian families, except the very rich ones.
For an example : 4 solar panels and a converter which produces enough energy for the lightning of 2 houses and 1 refrigerator costs about 130.000 dalasis. |
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Momodou
Denmark
11734 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 19:20:12
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quote:
Originally posted by Jede
Serenata
I do agree with you but as you probably know solar panels are very expensive and far above the financial possibilities of all Gambian families, except the very rich ones.
For an example : 4 solar panels and a converter which produces enough energy for the lightning of 2 houses and 1 refrigerator costs about 130.000 dalasis.
I suggested wind mills to Yankuba Touray in 1995 when he came with Batchi Baldeh to Denmark. His remark was; "heeee thats too advance for us"
Wind mills are another growing alternative source of energy. |
A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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serenata
Germany
1400 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 19:38:16
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To Momodou and Jede: I agree - windmills are an excellent option, too for a country like Gambia with its seasides and the almost constant wind I noticed on the North Bank!
I know that solar panels as well as windmills are expensive, but they could be (partly) sponsored by the industrial countries. To me, this would mean a 'development aid' that could help making the African countries more independant and wouldn't stress them with high oil costs. Maybe this is definitely not what the 'giving countries' intend...
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Amna
Gambia
76 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 23:40:14
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The problem of The Gambia is very limited to two things
i. Disinterest and contentment in the Jawara era, they had no interest in looking ahead and were easily content, in fact, a ministerial bribe then was D5000
ii. Greed, corruption and lack of foresight in the Jammeh era. Here, starting from the chief himself, they want everything, they grap everything and they want it upfront. Jammeh and his cohorts own now Kairaba Hotel, Senegambia, Mall of The Gambia, Gamwater, farms, minivans, Jammeh wants a cut on every procurement, shares on any venture from Africell to name it.
So no strategic plan or idea despite its potential and promise to The Gambia will take off under Junkung. He has looted oil gifts from Nigeria, grants from Taiwan, name it.
And just look from tomato paste to flour factories, even fuel tanks to the Observer Newspaper, all belongs to Junkung under the management of his main man, Amadou Samba.
Depressing but fact. |
Amna |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 02 Feb 2006 : 23:59:44
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this is an interesting topic as the energy problem is probably older than i am! i would like to think as other members that wind energy has the greatest potential not just for electricity but also for water pumping/irrigation etc
you may wish to refer to the follow recent article on the Daily Observer on a wind plant at Bato Kunku village, Kombo South.
http://www.observer.gm/enews/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3313&Itemid=33
Ofcourse the wind is not 100% reliable for a nation to depend on, but in this era of climate change or global warming etc its a good option for a small country. Denmark is a good example and i think now they have single machines upto 2MW (then we will only need 20 machines for the gambia in absolute terms). Solar remains expensive per unit but its biggest problem is that the power has to be stored which adds to the problem. but again i think its greatest contribution to the gambia has been/will be for rural water supply. there is an OMVG program to built a DAM on the river gambia in Guinee and wheel the power to dakar via soma (then to banjul).
however i firmly believe that there is no single solution but the best option is a mixture of everything including good old oil!
the following links might be of interest
1.http://www.afdb.org/pls/portal/docs/PAGE/ADB_ADMIN_PG/DOCUMENTS/PRIVATE_SECTOR_OPERATIONS/RENEABLE_ENERGY.PDF
2.http://www.afrol.com/News2002/gam008_renewable_energy.htm (the study ends 2006) |
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mustiky76
Korea
3 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2006 : 15:44:56
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Hello All,
As a matter of fact AU head of states are meeting in the Gambia and I hope issue of clean energy development will be a direct or in-direct issue that can be discuss. Some time I just seat and wonder if still Africans have to listen to an outside influence in the development of our affairs. African governments can solicit to be partners with western government in the attainment of economic development in another way around.
Just recently, I learnt that Gambia government gets couple of mega generators that will provide electricity to Gambians. But is these generators trend sustainable for the Gambia? Why is it that the Government those not want to explore other possibilities for energy efficiency in the tiny west Africa? Let add up the total purchase or lobby strategy that the government applied to get those generators. Add the total installation and running cost of this machines and the maintenance. The end analysis will lead us to a point of NO hopes to fulfill the energy needs of the country.
The Gambia can attain industrial growth provided we have standard electricity supply without interruption. Investors always highlight cost of machinery and maintaining there operation for a particular purpose. For the case of the Gambia, if you want to venture in mass investment in manufacturing industry, there is no energy stability that investors can see and this is a serious set back to our economic growth. The Jammeh government is doing all it can to provide effective supply of electricity, but is hard to follow through with generators. The country’s is weak in manufacturing industries be it agriculture, fishery and tourism. If we have steady supply of energy, the economic potential will grow and unemployment issues will level to a certain percentage.
For the past 3 decades, electricity supply in the Gambia urban centers cannot be fully maintained with the generators operation. The problem is causing Gambia governments through it tax payers millions of dollars to get the crude oil for generators, maintenance cost and expatriate services cost. Why can't the government and our cabinet ministers and the opposition’s seat and strategies other alternative energy means. There is no static route to economic development and with us Gambia is hard for us to change to new innovation. The steps that the government takes in partnership with EC/EDF in providing quality water supply to all major villages and towns in Gambia through solar powers can be replicated in providing electricity. Don't you think?
Now that WAVE and WIND energy is becoming an international agenda for alternative energy. The Gambia been small in size and population can adopt this initiative. The assuming cost of this initiative cannot be compare with day to day fuel cost of generators and maintenance for say next 30 years or more. A price of crude oil is rising day to day as well. As usual we will need an external funding as usual, but is worth-while to have sustainable energy.
Why can't we have Dam?
Hi fellow Gambians, you all have ideas as how the Gambia can attain economic development. Regardless to our political or what so ever differences we have. We still remain to be GAMBIANS and there is no place like home. We can be away from home but we shall be concern too as what can make the Gambia go forward.
Bye for now.
Urs
Mustapha Hydara
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Is good to think about home!! |
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njucks
Gambia
1131 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2006 : 19:26:25
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mustiky76
technically we cannot have a dam within our borders as the river from Basse to Barra only slopes 10m. The Gambia is dead flat so its impossible.
i dont know about wave energy as this is still experimental. with wind for electricity, where is it likely possible i think the preference is to built hotels and encourage tourism.
solar is out of the question to power manufacting and industries. infact the amount of land ares you need is not available. those who can afford it will put it in their homes.
i think we can do better with mixing a bit of everything including oil. the problem is not oil generators |
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kondorong
Gambia
4380 Posts |
Posted - 29 Jun 2006 : 19:34:44
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quote:
Originally posted by Jede
Serenata
I do agree with you but as you probably know solar panels are very expensive and far above the financial possibilities of all Gambian families, except the very rich ones.
For an example : 4 solar panels and a converter which produces enough energy for the lightning of 2 houses and 1 refrigerator costs about 130.000 dalasis.
wHICH gAMBIA ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. WE DONT HAVE FEW RICH BUT A LARGE RICH. WE HAVE MORE BILLIONAIRES THAN OUR NEIGHBORS |
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