POLITICALLY AWEH: Drill, Baby, Drill — Who’s reading the fine print at African Energy Week?

Petrol prices in South Africa have soared to R30.25 per litre, driven by global oil prices and geopolitical tensions. African Energy Week (AEW), held in Cape Town, promises to end energy poverty through more oil and gas drilling. However, the conference agenda highlights a strong focus on fossil fuels, with only 15 mentions of "renewable" energy.

There's no mention of the Paris Agreement or net-zero targets, and civil society groups are notably absent. Chris Yelland, an energy analyst, described AEW as a coal, oil, and gas conference. Renewable energy and battery storage are severely underrepresented. Wind energy, Africa's potential is vast, yet only 0.02% has been utilized.

The South African Wind Energy Association decided not to attend due to AEW's limited focus on renewables. The conference's founders claimed it would end energy poverty, yet their ticket prices are exorbitant. The conference even opens with a "Just Energy Transition" concert. Critics argue that the language of climate justice is being manipulated.

The African Energy Chamber's executive chairman, NJ Ayuk, has a history of questionable activities, including using a US congressman's stationery to obtain visas. Meanwhile, former protesters at AEW claim they were paid to participate and accused of astroturfing, pretending to support fossil fuels. The conference also launched a wine brand called "Drill Baby Drill," ironic given South Africa's struggling wine industry due to climate change impacts.

Meanwhile, South Africa's first Citizens' Assembly, aimed at building a fair, reliable, and affordable transport system while cutting emissions, represents a more authentic approach to energy policy.