Renewable Energy: new employment opportunities ?
The need to change sources from fossil fuels and hydrocarbons to renwable energy sources is generally accepted as an environmental issue but will it be successful and will it supply the jobs in the face of increasing unemployment not only in North Africa but worldwide?
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Renewable-Energ...
The German government recently cut the subsidies to solar power equipment manufacturers who naturally protested. The answer was that the equipment was costly to produce and Germany and Europe had a limted amount of sun.
North Africa has plenty of sun and the German Desertec scheme aims to create a vaste network of interlinked solar power cells in the desert which will if it works, be able to supply power to europen markets. Whilst Europe faces freezing winters and a need for energy security which means diversifying its sources North Africa with its desert sun and current high unemployment rate is in need of just such an opportunity. What is also clear is that job creation and industries are changing and the way we earn our living will be increasingly dependent on new technologies. This involves a painful transition for industrialised countries as patterns of work and production change and factories close. The environmental issue and increased population and the need to produce more effieciently and conserve energy is the other crucial focus, reducing carbon emmissions and saving the planet for future generations.
The German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU ) and its Minister Sigmar Gabriel have taken all this on board as the Ministry's title suggests.They see the future national energy policy as also including the development and encouragement of future international renewable energy sources. A key element in this is the need to change the global energy supply structure as well as protecting the environment and combatting climate change and more than this turning the business of energy production from extraction and exploitation of hydrocarbon sources in to an engine for innovation and economic growth.
The BMU believes that in 2020 at least 10% of the total energy demand in Germany and at least 20% of Germany's electricity should already be generated from the renewable resources wind, water, biomass, solar energy, and geothermal energy.The aim of having half Germany's energy needs satisfied by renewable energy seems possible to achieve, says the BMU.
The two day conference in Algiers on occupations related to the green economy and job creation in Algeria has been arranged by German Development Cooperation Group (GIZ) and the Algerian Directorate General for SMEs at the Ministry of Industry, Small Business and Investment Promotion. It follows President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's budget speech where he announced special funds to encourage entrepreneurship in Algeria.
This initiative has also been taking place in Tunisia and Morocco encouraged by North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity (NAPEO),involving the US State Department and the Aspen Institute which is working on initiatives for youth employment in the region with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, new technology and innovation.
Changes in the way work is done and employment opportunities in new industries .In Tunisia recevied a boost from the British firm NurEnergie with its Tunisian subsiduary TuNur with Tunisian investors are involved in a project to install solar generators in the Tunisian desert with a target of 2,000 megawatts and a mediterranean cable system to export electricity to Europe and to provide cheaper energy for the local market.
The project has the support of the Desertec Consortium and will be an important proving ground for the technological development on a mass scale of solar powered energy. Desertec estimates that some 20,000 new jobs will be created over the course of the construction and operation of the TuNur project. It is looking at a 2016 target date for electricty export to some 700,000 households.The project will also equip Tunisia with an the Chairman of NurEnergie points out that Europe is committed to renewable energy and paying a higher price for it which can be used to invest in plants in Tunisia.
Masen the Moroccan government energy agency managing the 500 megawatt solar project is about to appoint a consortium to start work on the poroject, in the southern region of Ouarzazate.It is the first of five in a $9 billion solar programme that will account for 38 percent of Morocco's installed power generation capacity by 2020.The plan is vital to a country without its own oil or gas and which aims to diversify its exports to an energy-hungry trade partner, the European Union.
A New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, "Overview of the Moroccan Electricity Industry", finds that the country has embarked on a very ambitious electricity generation capacity-build programme, in order to raise installed capacity from 6,350 MW in 2010 to 14,500 MW by 2020, as electricity consumption is expected to almost double in the corresponding period.
Investments will reach an estimated MAD 138 billion in new generation infrastructure (2012-2020) and MAD 21.3 billion in network expansion (2011-2015). Renewable energy should account for 18% of power generation by 2012 and 42% by 2020.
“In an attempt to develop all energy resources available in the country, and to reduce its dependence on imported coal, the Moroccan government has decided to launch an ambitious wind and solar power programme,” notes Frost & Sullivan’s Energy and Power Systems Research Analyst Celine Paton. “This renewable energy programme aims to build 4,000 MW of additional capacity by 2020.”
Regional integration with neighbouring countries (Spain and the Maghreb) will also further secure power supply within the country, fulfilling Morocco’s aspiration to become the power crossroads between Africa and Europe,” concludes Paton. “Furthermore, the upcoming law on the restructuring of the sector (separating generation, transmission and distribution activities, and establishing an independent regulatory body), and the progressive sector’s liberalisation, should enhance transparency and promote further private sector participation.”
As Morocco has no oil and gas it needs to rely on its biggest export earner to effect change in jobs and skills. The phosphate group OCP is making a massive 25 billion dirhams investment in its Khourigba plant to double phosphate production to 55 million tonnes a year through innovative technology.
Part of this plan is a skills development programme to enhance the employability and entrepreneurship among young people from OCP's centres of activity for them to succeed and become involved in development of their region. These centres will seek to guide and mentor young people in finding new careers and developing their own entrepreneurial capabalities and human development in the regions.
OCP's Initial results show that targets achieved include 674 Workshops for listening and guidance, 15,000 beneficiaries for selected training and 11,000 young people enrolled in 285 training courses,and 26 agreements signed with partners such as Foundation East-West, INJAZ, AMIDEAST and 52 business projects have been supported.
As part of its social policy OCP contributes also to the fight against school dropout. The allocated budget is 33 million dh, dedicated to the construction of 56 school canteens,the rehabilitation of 56 schools,the construction of boundary walls for 78 schools,the construction of 20 dispensaries to ensure the health of students. In addition, OCP is making available to rural children school transport facilities including the allocation of 2,000 bicycles to school children in rural areas and the provision of 25 school buses that will benefit 30,521 students and 13,680 rural girls.
It is only through such massive social efforts that the legacy of persistant long term unemployment will be overcome and the key is teaching new technologies and entrepreneurial skills which in turn makes for greater personal choice and creativity.
Long term unemployment is seen now in all the developed countries because in part industries and employment patterns are changing from heavy industries such as ship building to IT based skills industries. North Africa is no different from this trend except perhaps its is less burdened by heavy industrial industries that have lost their competitive edge. It is also important to integrate skills flexibility in the marketplace to avoid the adverse effects of global recessionary trends. The workforce is likely to have to change jobs more than once in their lives. Enhanced literacy and skills levels will be essential.
The conference on renewable energy and jobs in Algiers,initiated by the German Development Cooperation Agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ ) and the Directorate General for SMEs at the Ministry of Industry, Small Business and Investment Promotion, also stressed the importance of guiding young people and women wishing to start businesses to these activities, which are a vehicle for job creation.Representatives of the GIZ who presided over the four thematic workshops set up at the seminar reiterated the readiness of their organization to contribute to the development of professions in Algeria "green" industries, including those of producing,transporting and storing electricity from from renewable energy including wind and solar.
They felt that strengthening the partnership between Algeria and Germany in the field of renewable energy would allow the Algerian side to benefit from the expertise of Germany, one of the first countries worldwide to harness the energy potential of non-fissile for domestic purposes.Participants also discussed the prospects of the labor market of the green economy, especially for women. An overview was restricted to areas of renewable energy, waste treatment and recycling, transportation and logistics services as well as to develop the green economy. They emphasised that young Algerian startups Algerian have an important opportunity to invest in the green economy and the need for far more SMEs.It is estimated that the green economy could create more than 1.4 million jobs in Algeria by 2025.
Whether renewables can provide enough jobs quickly to satisfy immediate employment requirements is less sure. That all of us will have to change our lives to face the climatic,environmental and work challenges in the coming years is certain. In North Africa the race to modernise the work force, with new technological skilsl, and new business models is done will need to be accompanied by a relaxation of centralised control and inefficient and restrictive state bureaucracy. Funding for new start ups will need to be far more readilly available.
North Africa has plenty of sun and the German Desertec scheme aims to create a vaste network of interlinked solar power cells in the desert which will if it works, be able to supply power to europen markets. Whilst Europe faces freezing winters and a need for energy security which means diversifying its sources North Africa with its desert sun and current high unemployment rate is in need of just such an opportunity. What is also clear is that job creation and industries are changing and the way we earn our living will be increasingly dependent on new technologies. This involves a painful transition for industrialised countries as patterns of work and production change and factories close. The environmental issue and increased population and the need to produce more effieciently and conserve energy is the other crucial focus, reducing carbon emmissions and saving the planet for future generations.
The German Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU ) and its Minister Sigmar Gabriel have taken all this on board as the Ministry's title suggests.They see the future national energy policy as also including the development and encouragement of future international renewable energy sources. A key element in this is the need to change the global energy supply structure as well as protecting the environment and combatting climate change and more than this turning the business of energy production from extraction and exploitation of hydrocarbon sources in to an engine for innovation and economic growth.
The BMU believes that in 2020 at least 10% of the total energy demand in Germany and at least 20% of Germany's electricity should already be generated from the renewable resources wind, water, biomass, solar energy, and geothermal energy.The aim of having half Germany's energy needs satisfied by renewable energy seems possible to achieve, says the BMU.
The two day conference in Algiers on occupations related to the green economy and job creation in Algeria has been arranged by German Development Cooperation Group (GIZ) and the Algerian Directorate General for SMEs at the Ministry of Industry, Small Business and Investment Promotion. It follows President Abdelaziz Bouteflika's budget speech where he announced special funds to encourage entrepreneurship in Algeria.
This initiative has also been taking place in Tunisia and Morocco encouraged by North Africa Partnership for Economic Opportunity (NAPEO),involving the US State Department and the Aspen Institute which is working on initiatives for youth employment in the region with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, new technology and innovation.
Changes in the way work is done and employment opportunities in new industries .In Tunisia recevied a boost from the British firm NurEnergie with its Tunisian subsiduary TuNur with Tunisian investors are involved in a project to install solar generators in the Tunisian desert with a target of 2,000 megawatts and a mediterranean cable system to export electricity to Europe and to provide cheaper energy for the local market.
The project has the support of the Desertec Consortium and will be an important proving ground for the technological development on a mass scale of solar powered energy. Desertec estimates that some 20,000 new jobs will be created over the course of the construction and operation of the TuNur project. It is looking at a 2016 target date for electricty export to some 700,000 households.The project will also equip Tunisia with an the Chairman of NurEnergie points out that Europe is committed to renewable energy and paying a higher price for it which can be used to invest in plants in Tunisia.
Masen the Moroccan government energy agency managing the 500 megawatt solar project is about to appoint a consortium to start work on the poroject, in the southern region of Ouarzazate.It is the first of five in a $9 billion solar programme that will account for 38 percent of Morocco's installed power generation capacity by 2020.The plan is vital to a country without its own oil or gas and which aims to diversify its exports to an energy-hungry trade partner, the European Union.
A New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, "Overview of the Moroccan Electricity Industry", finds that the country has embarked on a very ambitious electricity generation capacity-build programme, in order to raise installed capacity from 6,350 MW in 2010 to 14,500 MW by 2020, as electricity consumption is expected to almost double in the corresponding period.
Investments will reach an estimated MAD 138 billion in new generation infrastructure (2012-2020) and MAD 21.3 billion in network expansion (2011-2015). Renewable energy should account for 18% of power generation by 2012 and 42% by 2020.
“In an attempt to develop all energy resources available in the country, and to reduce its dependence on imported coal, the Moroccan government has decided to launch an ambitious wind and solar power programme,” notes Frost & Sullivan’s Energy and Power Systems Research Analyst Celine Paton. “This renewable energy programme aims to build 4,000 MW of additional capacity by 2020.”
Regional integration with neighbouring countries (Spain and the Maghreb) will also further secure power supply within the country, fulfilling Morocco’s aspiration to become the power crossroads between Africa and Europe,” concludes Paton. “Furthermore, the upcoming law on the restructuring of the sector (separating generation, transmission and distribution activities, and establishing an independent regulatory body), and the progressive sector’s liberalisation, should enhance transparency and promote further private sector participation.”
As Morocco has no oil and gas it needs to rely on its biggest export earner to effect change in jobs and skills. The phosphate group OCP is making a massive 25 billion dirhams investment in its Khourigba plant to double phosphate production to 55 million tonnes a year through innovative technology.
Part of this plan is a skills development programme to enhance the employability and entrepreneurship among young people from OCP's centres of activity for them to succeed and become involved in development of their region. These centres will seek to guide and mentor young people in finding new careers and developing their own entrepreneurial capabalities and human development in the regions.
OCP's Initial results show that targets achieved include 674 Workshops for listening and guidance, 15,000 beneficiaries for selected training and 11,000 young people enrolled in 285 training courses,and 26 agreements signed with partners such as Foundation East-West, INJAZ, AMIDEAST and 52 business projects have been supported.
As part of its social policy OCP contributes also to the fight against school dropout. The allocated budget is 33 million dh, dedicated to the construction of 56 school canteens,the rehabilitation of 56 schools,the construction of boundary walls for 78 schools,the construction of 20 dispensaries to ensure the health of students. In addition, OCP is making available to rural children school transport facilities including the allocation of 2,000 bicycles to school children in rural areas and the provision of 25 school buses that will benefit 30,521 students and 13,680 rural girls.
It is only through such massive social efforts that the legacy of persistant long term unemployment will be overcome and the key is teaching new technologies and entrepreneurial skills which in turn makes for greater personal choice and creativity.
Long term unemployment is seen now in all the developed countries because in part industries and employment patterns are changing from heavy industries such as ship building to IT based skills industries. North Africa is no different from this trend except perhaps its is less burdened by heavy industrial industries that have lost their competitive edge. It is also important to integrate skills flexibility in the marketplace to avoid the adverse effects of global recessionary trends. The workforce is likely to have to change jobs more than once in their lives. Enhanced literacy and skills levels will be essential.
The conference on renewable energy and jobs in Algiers,initiated by the German Development Cooperation Agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH (GIZ ) and the Directorate General for SMEs at the Ministry of Industry, Small Business and Investment Promotion, also stressed the importance of guiding young people and women wishing to start businesses to these activities, which are a vehicle for job creation.Representatives of the GIZ who presided over the four thematic workshops set up at the seminar reiterated the readiness of their organization to contribute to the development of professions in Algeria "green" industries, including those of producing,transporting and storing electricity from from renewable energy including wind and solar.
They felt that strengthening the partnership between Algeria and Germany in the field of renewable energy would allow the Algerian side to benefit from the expertise of Germany, one of the first countries worldwide to harness the energy potential of non-fissile for domestic purposes.Participants also discussed the prospects of the labor market of the green economy, especially for women. An overview was restricted to areas of renewable energy, waste treatment and recycling, transportation and logistics services as well as to develop the green economy. They emphasised that young Algerian startups Algerian have an important opportunity to invest in the green economy and the need for far more SMEs.It is estimated that the green economy could create more than 1.4 million jobs in Algeria by 2025.
Whether renewables can provide enough jobs quickly to satisfy immediate employment requirements is less sure. That all of us will have to change our lives to face the climatic,environmental and work challenges in the coming years is certain. In North Africa the race to modernise the work force, with new technological skilsl, and new business models is done will need to be accompanied by a relaxation of centralised control and inefficient and restrictive state bureaucracy. Funding for new start ups will need to be far more readilly available.
Source : https://www.marocafrik.com/english/Renewable-Energ...