The EU–Africa Energy Partnership: Towards a mutually beneficial renewable transport energy alliance?

Transport energy futures: Exploring the geopolitical dimension

“…Concerns about maintaining adequate competition may ensue [62]. The switch would also lead to the redundancy of the liquid fossil fuels industry, which would have significant negative economic impacts on oil-producing regions, and would also potentially impact regions investing heavily in biofuels [20]. Instead of petrol stations converting to automotive electricity providers, a new range of players may result.…”

“…Advocates point out that the feedstocks, being largely vegetation, are renewable and result in fewer emissions when combusted [12,37], while detractors highlight (i) poorer energy per volume compared to conventional fuels [11], (ii) the amount of energy needed from a lifecycle perspective (including the growing of the feedstocks) [100], (iii) the potential for environmental damage ensuing from over-zealous feedstock production [19,20], (iv) the potential to induce food scarcity [16], and (v), in the case of biodiesel, its inability to be used in very cold weather [76]. While research into different feedstocks is ongoing, current efforts reveal that sugar crops grown in tropical settings are the most efficient source of bioethanol [102].…”

“…Instead of petrol stations converting to automotive electricity providers, a new range of players may result. The adoption of electric automotive technology would also conceivably affect the balance of payments of nations generally characterized as 'technology takers', such as sub-Saharan African countries [15,20], thereby leading to the exacerbation of national debt.…”

“…Coal reserves are plentiful in South Africa and Nigeria [58], while a variety of natural features such as sunlight and water could be harnessed for clean electricity production. In particular, a good deal of effort has been expended in developing a sub-Saharan biofuel industry, mainly to supply increasing demand in Europe [20]. Most of this, however, relies on highly inefficient first-generation processes.…”

“…Petroleum is found in the North Sea, but new discoveries have reduced markedly [10]. The controversial Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has facilitated an interest in biofuels, and biodiesel in particular [3], but increased demand has resulted in the largescale importation of feedstocks from the developing world [20]. Wind farming is possible on the exposed Atlantic and North Sea coastline, while a lack of sunlight throughout much of the year problematizes photovoltaic energy generation.…”