Energy

Reliable electricity improves lives and supports economic development. Just ask anyone who gathers wood to cook. Private corporations – motivated by profit – have frequently failed to expand electrical services to those who need it most. They also charge all the market will bear. Public enterprises – motivated by serving the public interest – are better placed to provide clean, affordable energy.

Greece: Trade union leaders arrested following protests

Jan09

On Thursday 24 November 2011, the Greek police arrested Nikos Photopoulos, President of the power workers' union GENOP/DEI, along with more than a dozen of his fellow trade unionists. They will appear in court on Tuesday 10 January 2012 to face charges that could see them jailed for up to five years. They were protesting against part of the Greek austerity measures - the cutting off of power to people unable or unwilling to pay a new, swingeing property tax, levied regardless of income or wealth. Greek trade union confederation GSEE, is calling for the charges to be dropped.

Pakistan: Mobilisation against privatisation of the electricity sector

Dec20

Public Services International sent a letter to Pakistani trade unions on 20 December 2011 strongly supporting the national mobilisation against privatisation of the electricity sector. Experience shows that electricity privatisation is a disaster for almost all involved, except perhaps a very few who manage to squeeze profits from rising tariffs, reduced wages, increased outsourcing and precarious labour, and other unethical practices.

Tags: 
Quality public services
Energy
Privatisation
Electricity

Solidarity with Mexican electricians

Nov23
Banner: Sindicato Mexicano de Electicistas, apoyo total

On 23 November 2011, the Mexican Electricians Union (SME) mobilized in the main streets of Mexico City, concluding with a rally at the Constitution Square better known as the Zocalo. About 30 thousand workers vindicated their rights demanding no more job cuts and resisting against the Federal Labor Reform.

Pages

Desertec: what are the implications for Africa?

Nov22

The Desertec plan is a highly ambitious, large-scale project designed to harness renewable energy such as solar and wind power to generate large amounts of electricity. It will do this by establishing solar as well as wind plants in the Sahara desert in countries such as Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

Tags: 
Energy
Electricity

Water, electricity and the political context in Arab countries 2011

Nov22

This report examines the electricity and water sectors in North African and Middle Eastern countries. It consists of three sections. The first section examines the political, economic and global context as of September 2011. The second section examines the water sector. The third section examines the electricity sector.

Tags: 
Energy
Water and sanitation
Electricity

UN Climate Change Conference 2011

Jan31

The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 7th Session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the Meeting of the Parties (CMP7) to the Kyoto Protocol, will be held in Durban, South Africa.

Bonn2011 Nexus Conference

Jan31

The primary objective of the Bonn2011 Nexus Conference is to bring together a broad range of stakeholders from the water, energy and food sectors in an effort to improve understanding of the interdependencies and develop a joint perspective on the common challenges.

World Social Forum Dakar 2011

Jun 28

PSI utilities officer David Boys tells us about the nature and mechanisms of worldwide privatization of key public services such as water, energy, waste treatment and pension funds in an interview at the 2011 World Social Forum in Dakar.

Tags: 
Energy
Water and sanitation
Electricity