The recent unveiling of the government’s new roadmap for an energy sufficient society has opened new avenues for the private sector.Since time immemorial, developing countries have relied on governments to supply much needed utilities. Since energy generation was an expensive venture that needed qualified personnel and sophisticated technology, it was thrown on the laps of states.In most cases, governments had to rely on external financing to finance grandiose and expensive hydropower stations- the then sole source of electricity. Few developed countries had coal fired power stations which over the years have been disbanded because of the environmental outcry.That was before new technology and the hitherto out of reach renewable energy idea was floated, but it was still a pipedream for many. Today, it is a different story; renewable energy components are everywhere, the technology is accessible.That is why energy generation is no longer the sole realm of Energy Water and Sanitation Authority (EWSA), the energy and water utility. The public sector is being called upon to come on board, as it is done in developed countries, where energy production is dominated by the public sector.The necessary components; peat, solar, biogas and wind, abound. Even small streams and rivers can be harnessed to generate energy which could then be added to the national grid.The government has assured of its support, it is now time for the private sector to take up the challenge.
