The World Energy Day was created in 2012 by the World Energy Forum with the aim to raise awareness about energy, ensuring the affordability of safe and sustainable energy for all people while targeting carbon emission reduction through increasing share of renewable andclean energy resources as well as enhancing the efficiency of energy production and use.
The World Energy Day should remind us of the critical role of energy in the socio-economic development of the country and the importance to achieve a balance between development and environmental protection as we combat climate change and protect the right of this and future generations to live in a clean, healthy and safe environment. Energy comes in many different and useful forms – energy to heat water or cool our homes, fuel to enable us to move from one place to another and power our devices to stay connected in the virtual world. Energy is an essential part of modern life. However, there remains simple and devastating facts on energy that are often get overlooked. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), in 2022, nearly 775 million people around the world live without electricity, mostly in the sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, based on data from World Health Organisation (WHO), IEA indicated that, in 2022, around 2.3 billion people worldwide still do not have access to clean cooking. While some countries struggle, Seychelles has made great strides in meeting several of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
To date, the country has universal access to modern energy with more than 5% RE integrated on the electricity system. The Government is aiming to accelerate the adoption of more renewable energy technologies through the recent revision of the energy legislation in order to meet the 15% RE target by 2030 and the long-term target of 100% by 2050. As we progress, we should keep in mind that we are still heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels which puts the country at risks of supply insecurities and price fluctuations (energy security risks). Today’s global crisis is already impacting us. Therefore, we need to transition to a cleaner energy sector through the deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.
These technologies present an excellent opportunity for us to, not only, address our energy security exposure but also strengthen our resilient to externalities. As I conclude, I would like us all to reflect on the role of energy in our life and the role you can play. To me, on this day, October 22nd, I will reflect deeply on my role and responsibility as an energy leader in developing a modern and sustainable energy sector for Seychelles. I, however, cannot do it alone. I would like to call on everyone, if you can, to help me do more and better. We all have a role to play in this transition. The power to save energy is in your hands.
