Publisher's Synopsis
It is both unfortunate and absolutely unnecessary that more than 1/2 billion Africans, especially in rural areas, live without electricity. Perhaps the great irony is that Africa has more than enough energy capacity to join the rest of the world in utilizing modern technologies that require energy supplies. Approximately 30 percent of global oil and gas discoveries of the past 5 years alone have been in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, currently, only 290 million out of 914 million Africans have access to electricity. And the total number lacking such access continues to rise. Bioenergy- mainly, fuel, wood, and charcoal-is still a major source of fuel. Hydropower accounts for about 20 percent of total power supply in the region, but less than 10 percent of its estimated potential has been utilized. This hearing today will examine the current and prospective impact of U.S. Government programs, such as Power Africa and Electrify Africa, as well private international energy projects.
