Hello, my name is Aaron Tushabe. I am a technologist based in Kampala, Uganda, and Texas, USA. My work with Nearly Free Energy (NFE)focuses on addressing one of the most pressing technological challenges of our time. Today, I want to talk about an impending crisis that our world is set to face over the next 40 years: how to sustainably power the homes, businesses, playgrounds, commutes, hospitals, schools, the communities of a global population expected to reach 10 billion by 2060. ⚡
Let’s begin with two starkly contrasting images. The first shows bustling Nairobi city lit up by an abundance of energy—homes, businesses, and public infrastructure glowing under the night sky. The second image is of Texas during the February 2024 winter storm blackout: darkened streets, shuttered homes, and families huddling together for warmth in subfreezing temperatures.
On a personal note, I was living in Texas in February 2024 and my house was without power and water for almost 2 weeks. And even when the outage was over, my electricity utility company declared bankruptcy and closed business due to the spikes in upstream electricity prices caused by the surge in demand from the storm. I’m pretty sure they were not the only business impacted.
The Texas blackout wasn’t an anomaly. It was a wake-up call. Across the world, communities are facing rolling blackouts, energy shortages, and skyrocketing costs of electricity. In Uganda in March 2025 as the national grid management is being transitioned to another a state owned company from a private one, several communities are experiencing increased regular power outages. And according to the research, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Our current energy infrastructure is strained by demand. Without significant changes, we may be entering an era of energy poverty that could cripple economies, exacerbate inequality, and threaten the stability of our societies. ⚡❄️
The Fragility of Our Energy System 🌎💡🛠️
Do you ever wonder about the origin of the phrase “All roads lead to Rome”? It comes from the story of the Roman Empire’s road network. These roads were not merely paths; they were the lifelines of trade, communication, and military efficiency, enabling Rome to sustain an expansive and diverse empire. However, as the empire grew, maintaining and expanding this “Rome centric” infrastructure became increasingly difficult, contributing to its eventual decline and collapse. 🚧⚙️📜
Similarly, the alarm bells are ringing for good reason. Energy demand is rising exponentially as global populations grow, urbanization accelerates, and technology (like AI) becomes more integrated into everyday life. Some projection models tell us that by 2050, the world’s energy consumption could double. Yet, our current energy systems are already strained. Power grids are aging, fossil fuels are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive, and the transition to renewable energy is lagging behind what is required to meet demand. Moreover, climate change—itself exacerbated by energy production—is making energy infrastructure more vulnerable to extreme weather events, as evidenced by hurricanes, heatwaves and winter storms. 🌪️🔥💧
A Four-Part Blueprint for Energy Security 📝🌟🛠️
Amid this grim outlook, there is hope. To ensure that we can sustainably power the communities of 10 billion people, we must adopt a four-part strategy that balances innovation, efficiency, resilience, and governance. Each of these approaches is fraught with challenges but is vital for a sustainable energy future. 🌞🌐💪🏿
- Investing in Renewable Energy Technologies 🌞⚡: Solar, wind, and other renewable technologies hold the key to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future. Technological advancements have made renewables more affordable and efficient, yet their adoption remains uneven. For instance, sub-Saharan Africa—blessed with abundant sunlight—lags in solar adoption due to lack of financing, infrastructure, and political will. Investment in localized, renewable solutions tailored to specific regional needs will be critical.
- Enhancing Energy Efficiency and Reducing Waste 🏠💡: Globally, we waste an astonishing amount of energy. From poorly insulated buildings to inefficient industrial practices, significant opportunities exist to do more with less. Retrofitting homes and businesses with energy-efficient appliances and smarter systems could cut energy use by 20-30%. Moreover, modernizing power grids to reduce transmission losses and deploying smart grid technology can optimize energy distribution and consumption.
- Strengthening Local Energy Resilience 🏘️🔋: The Texas blackout demonstrated the dangers of over-reliance on centralized systems. Local energy systems, such as microgrids and community-owned renewable projects, provide a buffer against large-scale failures. In rural Uganda, for example, solar microgrids have empowered entire communities by providing reliable and affordable electricity, creating a model for resilience that can be replicated globally.
- Proactive Governance and Regulation 📜🏛️: Governments play a crucial role in setting the frameworks for sustainable energy transitions. Subsidies for fossil fuels need to be redirected toward clean energy projects. Policies must encourage innovation while ensuring accountability for environmental impacts. Strong regulations can prevent disasters like the unchecked overloading of grids that contributed to the Texas blackout. Globally coordinated policies will also be essential to manage cross-border energy dependencies and resource sharing.
Overcoming Criticism and Learning from Success 📖🌍💡
Each of these strategies faces opposition. Critics argue that renewable energy is expensive and unreliable, especially in regions without consistent sunlight or wind. Efficiency measures often require upfront investments that many businesses and homeowners cannot afford. Localized energy systems face skepticism for their scalability, and regulatory frameworks are often slow to adapt to the fast-paced changes in the energy sector. However, history shows us that these hurdles can be overcome. 💭✅📈
Consider Germany’s Energiewende, a national strategy to transition to renewable energy. While it faced early criticism for high costs, the program has made Germany a global leader in solar and wind energy, significantly reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. Similarly, in Bangladesh, a government-backed initiative to deploy solar home systems has electrified millions of rural homes, proving that renewables can be scalable and effective even in low-income settings. 🌞🇩🇪🇧🇩
A Balanced Investment Portfolio for Energy Security 💼📊🌱
The key to solving the energy crisis lies in treating these strategies as complementary components of a balanced investment portfolio. Renewable energy technologies are akin to high-growth stocks—promising but requiring careful management to mitigate risks. Efficiency measures and local energy systems are the stable, low-risk investments that provide resilience during crises. Governance and regulation act as the legal safeguards, much like insurance policies, ensuring that the system remains secure and sustainable. 📈⚡🔒
Your Role in Solving the Energy Crisis 🙋🏿♂️🌐💪🏿
Addressing the global energy crisis requires collective action. Visit www.NearlyFreeEnergy.com to learn more about each of these strategies and how you can contribute locally and globally. Over the next year, we’ll release detailed videos and campaigns for each strategy, but we need your input. Vote on the strategy you believe deserves the most attention and share this message with your network. Together, we can drive the change needed to secure a sustainable energy future. 💡🌟📢
The stakes could not be higher. If we fail to act, energy shortages, economic instability, and environmental degradation will become the defining crises of our time. But with the right strategies and the will to act, we can power the communities of 10 billion people and build a future of prosperity and sustainability. Thank you for your attention, and let’s work together to make this vision a reality. 🌍⚡🤝🏿