Energy is a worldwide concern. Energy is a huge problem in the Congo today. Diesel fuel in the Ubangi region reached $28/gallon last fall and is still above $10/gallon. There is no electricity grid in the region. Cooking is done over a wood or charcoal fire. Few people have flashlights. Even candles are few. Lack of power is a major obstacle for development of sustainable communities.
Twenty-five years ago, Bob Thornbloom conceived and carried out construction of a dam and hydro-electric power station at Zulu to serve the Karawa station. Although there were some limitations during the dry season, reliable, constant electrical power had a major impact on the Karawa mission. It literally became a shining beacon on the hill.
In the past few years, some of the equipment began to wear out and the seven mile cable connecting the power plant to the station shorts our frequently. We learned of a USAID program, American Hospitals and Schools Abroad that annually solicits proposals for facilities and equipment to support hospitals and schools such as the ones at Karawa. On June 30th, we submitted a proposal to renovate the Zulu station and the connecting cable. Competition for these grants is fierce and for this and other reasons we’re not optimistic about this year. But by next year, we hope to be better positioned to win.
For a subsistence, capital poor economy, how would you choose between energy solutions that require high capital and low operating cost or low capital but high operating cost?
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