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AfrElec COMMENTARY AfrElec

wind and solar PV.
The report calls for $110bn per year of invest- Lessons to learn
ment in grid extensions and improvements, In effect, the IEA is describing what lessons can
a 40% rise in capital spending, after years of be learnt from the 2020 COVID-19 crisis, and
declining investment. This would put them on how to implement them to protect the global
a stronger footing to withstand natural disasters, energy sector from future challenges.
severe weather and other potential threats. The report aims to avoid the experience of
As well as grids, energy efficiency in another the 2008 financial crisis, when emission quickly
crucial area of the recovery plan, with one-third bounced back.
of the $1 trillion spending devoted to measures With the IEA forecasting that emissions will
that make buildings, transport and industry fall by 8% in 2020, it claims its roadmap would
more efficient. avoid such a bounce, and support government to
The report calls for an extra 130GW of new put in place the infrastructure required to avoid
solar PV and wind capacity at a cost of $180bn any future rise in emissions.
per year, on top of currently planned capacity, The IEA has warned governments that they
as well as life-extensions for 90GW of hydro and have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to shape
nuclear capacity that would otherwise have been a better energy future by meet the targets set out
closed. in the Paris Agreement and by spurring wider
“The IEA makes clear that a sustainable economic growth.
global recovery from Covid-19 is desirable, “The sustainable recovery plan would kick-
achievable and affordable, boosting economic start the reductions needed to achieve the goals
growth, creating millions of jobs in areas such of the Paris Agreement. Nonetheless, in isola-
as energy efficiency and putting emissions into tion, the recovery plan would not be sufficient;
decline,” said Alison Doig, International Lead further actions would be needed to put the world
at the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit on course to achieve the Paris Agreement goals,”
(ECIU) in London. said Birol.
“Perhaps the most startling line is that if gov- Indeed, Birol stressed that it gives “rigorous
ernments take this path, they can make 2020 analysis and clear advice,” to policymakers as
the year when the world starts beating climate they establish their priorities.
change as well as coronavirus, with emissions “The Sustainable Recovery Plan is not
never again rising above 2019 levels and setting intended to tell governments what they must
a new course to deliver the goals of the Paris do. It seeks to show them what they can do,” he
Agreement,” she added. said. ™

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