Energy Challenge

The mobilization and availability of energetic recourses are one of Cape Verde's greatest challenges. A country with a strong energy dependency, which imports all the oil resources it consumes, and in the face of an environmental crisis scenario, the focus on alternative forms of power generation is a necessity. Cape Verde in climatic terms is inserted in a semi-arid region, characterized by dry and hot climates in which precipitations are scarce and irregular and high temperatures, and with availability of sun throughout the year, which has fostered investment in this natural resource. In the case of small domestic investors, the focus has been on solar energy. "Solar energy is the one that most adapts to the building, the one that adapts perfectly to the terraces and roofs of the houses and has increasing economic viability," a professor specializing in renewable energy told us.
 

The Solar Solution

Moisés Freire, a young informatic and electric technician living on Praia City, Capital of Cabo Verde, a country some 570 km off the west coast of Africa – rely on the sun as a source of renewable energy. His continuous pursuit for innovation on renewable energy led him to create solutions that allows him to save on energy bills and believes that the country can achieve energy self-sufficiency through clean energies. "The benefits are enormous. I paid 13 to 14,000 CVE of electricity a month and used a car with fossil fuel. Right now, I'm generating my own electricity and my car is electric. Between car maintenance and the electricity bill, I'm saving an average of 30 CVE per month. It's a worthwhile investment," he says.  “Having a solar panel on the roof or terrace is increasingly frequent in Cape Verde.” “At the level of microgeneration, it is mainly solar energy, photovoltaics. We are talking about panels placed in buildings, whether family homes, companies, or public institutions", he explains.