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Senegal is preparing to produce oil – and especially gas – from the end of 2023. It was decided at the last COP to stop financing fossil fuels abroad. For several civil society organizations, Senegal should rather be supported in its energy transition.
The conclusion is there: the climate emergency is a global threat. But should Senegal give up its oil and gas resources in the name of the fight against global warming? ” The first thing to consider is the context. “says Abdou Ndour, of the NGO Enda Energy. « Today, in Senegal, consumption is over 80% dominated by the use of biomass. The Senegalese need to change the energy trajectory model. Leave traditional energies such as wood and charcoal and use gas for cooking for example. »
Can natural gas be considered a “transitional” energy? This is debated among environmentalists. For Abdou Ndour in any case, its use in Senegal would be a coherent choice: “ Electricity production in Senegal is dominated by the use of fuel oil, therefore petroleum or petroleum products. He gas happens to be cleaner than oil. If Senegal is changing its electricity production system today, the country is modernizing its “process” and further reduce its CO2 emissions. »
Moving towards an energy mix
For’ONG 350.org in particular, it would be necessary purely and simply to stop fossil fuels, and turn 100% to renewables. But for Mame Bousso Faye, an active member of the Climate Chance association, the two are reconcilable: “ Whatever the quantity of oil or gas discovered, this should make it possible to accelerate the energy transition in Senegal, but also to finance the development of renewable energies. »
And in terms of renewable energies, the potential is enormous, underlines Massamba Gaye, engineer in local development, and project manager “Energies” of the NGO Gret Senegal : « It’s all about methods and procedures. We can move towards an energy mix. Because what interests us is to give electricity to all Senegalese, but also cooking energy, while developing renewable energies, given our potential in solar and wind power and fill the rest in energy fossil. »
In a context of global energy crisis, Senegalese gas is already highly sought after. Initially, the production will be mainly intended for export.
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