EAC, SADC urged to promote usage of efficient energy
The country believes clean and efficient energy would cut down emissions, effects of climate change and sustainably promoting growth.
FRIDAY December 6, 2024
By Said Njuki
The Tranquility News Correspondent, Tanzania
Tanzania’s Deputy Premier and Energy Minister, Dr Doto Biteko, has exhorted development players from east and southern Africa to chart out ways of enhancing access to efficient energy in the two regional economic communities.
Dr Biteko also urged the players from government, academia, the private sector, and media to set robust strategies for contributing to investments in energy efficiency in their areas of jurisdiction, saying the move would reduce dependency on energy from overseas.
“Each EAC partner state and SADC member country should consider incorporating technology in its strategies and research to scale up and sustain application of efficient energy,” he said.
The Deputy Premier was officiating at a Regional Energy Efficiency Conference in Arusha, Tanzania. The three-day conference attracted over 500 delegates from the East African Community (EAC) as well as from the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
He explained that wide application of energy efficiency would go a long way in cutting down emissions, effects of climate change and sustainably promoting economic growth.
Widespread application of energy efficiency, he added, also reduced operational costs at both business and household levels.
“With energy efficiency, businesses thrive and become competitive and resilient in the ever-changing landscapes of local and international markets,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary in the Energy Ministry, Mr Felchesmi Mramba, called on citizens in the EAC and SADC blocs to apply energy wisely for their own sake and that of their respective nations.
“Open windows to avoid using air conditioners whenever necessary, and use washing machines when consumption of electricity is low in a bid to relieve the national grid of the burden of being overloaded,” said Mr Mramba, adding:
“Use water wisely by installing water-saving devices. In so doing, both electricity and water bills will also go down.”
The conference was jointly convened by the ministry, European Union (EU), UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the Embassy of Ireland.
Tanzania launched its first-ever National Energy Strategy (2024-2034) during the regional conference.
Dr Biteko said the national strategy demonstrated the government’s commitment and that it reflected vital support from development partners in advancing energy efficiency measures and contributing to a greener world.
Mr Marc Stalmans, the Head of Cooperation at the EU, highlighted the importance of harmonising energy efficiency standards across EAC.
“The harmonisation of energy efficiency standards for Tanzania and EAC is key to driving transformative changes in efficient appliances, reducing costs, and promoting regional integration,” he said.
The UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr Amon Manyama, said, in turn: “Energy efficiency reduces wastes, optimises costs, and bridges the gap between energy supply and demand.”
Energy efficiency also advance Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) seven on affordable and sustainable energy by lowering carbon emissions, and SDG 13 on building resilience against climate change, he saidΩ
