I am sort of tired of the financial crisis, so let’s look at Chavez blasting the project to build a solar plant in the Sahara. He said today:
“Europe is looking to take away Africa’s solar energy…without leaving anything for Africa”
Well, this is only so far a project, which you can read about here and see the diagram above.
While I don’t know enough about the environmental impact of such a project, it would power up desalinization plants which would provide water for drinking and agriculture, leaving quite a bit for the countries involved.
The project is being promoted by the Desertec Foundation.
Jeez, I wonder why Chavez opposes it and even more, with so many problems here, like Provea saying today poverty and policies to fight it are either stuck, or have taken a step back in Venezuela in the last two years, how come Chavez has time to learn about this and even have his own not so knowledgeable opinion?
Why doesn’t he spend that time learning about Venezuela’s problems?
The Devil's Excrement 
December 15, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I think Mr. Chavez is well aware of the problems of the people of Venezuela, but it’s not convenient for him to aknowledge them.
I cannot bare the very character that drives him in an animal-like form.
December 10, 2009 at 10:27 am
Chavez is naturally jeolous of anyone who has access to direct sunlight as he has not seen it for many years due to his head being so far up his own ass.
December 10, 2009 at 10:19 am
Well…not to mention that you can’t “take away” solar power from anyone!
December 10, 2009 at 8:16 am
JZ said: “Without an economy based on oil, the only way that Venezuela can survive is to allow creativity and freedom to flourish and develop new industries. Either Chavez moves on with the times or he will be gone.”
Chavez would NEVER allow creativity & freedom to flourish. He’s doing everything in his power to do the exact opposite.
Creativity is a threat to Chavismo.
December 10, 2009 at 5:09 am
JZ- what an insightful comment! Of course chavez will be anti-anything that threatens the price of oil.
December 10, 2009 at 1:45 am
Miguel, first off, thanks for the info on the bonds. I didn’t know that.
As for complaining about the solar situation in Africa, it is obvious he is scared. His stupid and empty threats to cut off oil from the U.S. were not received in the manner he would have liked.
Did he really think Americans were going to be bullied around by his tirades?
The best of America is not the military muscle so many other nations are envious of; it is the ability to innovate.
People in my generation are sick and tired of being dependent on foreign oil and all the headaches that come with it. I would like nothing better to tell the Middle East and Chavez that they can go drink their own oil.
Saudi Arabia seemed to be the only country with the vision to realize that alternatives are on the horizon. Maybe Chavez is waking up too.
For Chavez, these numbers must keep him up at night. The United States is importing 16% less oil than a year ago. Electrical generation from wind in the state of Texas has gone from 600 megawatts to 9000 in nine years. Due to advances in natural gas drilling, the U.S. has increased its NG reserves such that we have enough NG for the next 70 to 100 years. Corn Ethanol production, which has not gotten much publicity lately, has gone from 3 billion gallons in 2003 to 12 billion now and is expected to hit 15 by next year. The world’s spare capacity of oil is now 4 million barrels per day, the highest in a decade.
And just because oil prices are coming down does not mean we are stopping. Obama has a huge believer in alternative energy. There are conversion kits available in Brazil that cost $1200 that allows one’s car to be powered by natural gas. In the U.S., the cost is $10,000, and this high cost is mostly due to red tape. Newer technology allows anyone with NG coming into their home to tap into his line and fill up his vehicle. At today’s prices, NG would go for the equivalent of $1 a gallon. Once NG conversion kits become economical, the U.S. will be importing even less oil.
There is no question that this is going to result in some short term pain in Venezuela and probably soon. Oil prices are not up because of supply and demand. IMO, the reason is that speculators are foolishly bidding it up and with the CFTC (the U.S. agency that regulates commodities) due to start cracking down in 2010, oil prices will likely fall and hard.
While there may be some short term pain in Venezuela with falling prices, the long term result will probably be good. Without an economy based on oil, the only way that Venezuela can survive is to allow creativity and freedom to flourish and develop new industries. Either Chavez moves on with the times or he will be gone.
As your blog name indicates, oil has been more of a curse than blessing for Venezuela.
You previously mentioned flying from Venezuela to Colombia. I too have made that journey, and the only trip I have made that can compare was traveling out of the former USSR to Finland. There is/was a paranoia or seething anger boiling in the USSR and Venezuela that was readily apparent to me.
If Chavez and the Arab world thinks that $20 oil is going to make the U.S. go back to its SUV driving, gas guzzling ways, they can forget about it. If paying a buck or two more a gallon means no more 9-11s or wars in the Middle East, most Americans will be happy to do it.
December 9, 2009 at 9:09 pm
-What if those countries nationalise those plants and use it like OPEC to continue in rent seeking behavior from solar power?? Anyways, I support the idea, this could help those countries and reduce usage of other energies coming from oil, gas and coal.
December 9, 2009 at 9:09 pm
I guess that with the resignation of Jesse Charon from the Ministry of Bolivarian Science that Comrade Hugo now also has to also be Principle Scientist of the Revolution along with all his Economic and Financial Imperial duties. Not to mention the heavy workload of being Generalismo.
I like this project. We have the same condition here. If you cannot irrigate the land it’s best use is as a solar or wind collector. It is no different than our using the Rocky’s as a watershed that provides water, irrigation and hydroelectric power to the western US.
From what I read, projects on the Orinoco and the Caroni rivers seem to be going the other way. Will President Chavez tell us what is being done to protect and at the same time develop these resources?
December 9, 2009 at 8:26 pm
Why doesn’t he spend that time learning about Venezuela’s problems?
Because he doesn’t care. He never did. It’s all about him.
December 9, 2009 at 7:41 pm
As someone that lived in the middle of the Sahara for over two years, I could think of no better use for that place. Is chavez worried about Europe generating revenue for Algeria, Morocco, and Libya? What the hell else are they going to do with that sunshine?
Oh I rue the day there is no more sunshine left for Africa. Imperialist bastards. Maybe hugo chewed a bit too much coca leaf today.