Rolling Blackouts in Bamako
	Nearly everyday now for a couple of weeks in June 2007, we have experienced rolling blackouts. Electricity is shut off in neighborhoods throughout the Bamako area for a half day at a time. One day it occurs in the morning, the next day in the afternoon, etc. This is happening because the water level in the Niger River is low. The rainy season is slow to start this year. The electricity production is 310 GWh (1998). Production sources are: fossil fuel: 38.71% hydro: 61.29% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998) There are no imports or exports of electricity. Consumption was 288 GWh in1998, which is relatively close to their production capacity of 310 Gwh. Energy provision in Mali has been rated as poor and costly. Energy shortages are not only inconvenient, but they also hamper economic development. Throughout Mali, primary sources of energy are fuelwood and charcoal, which provide about 90 percent of all energy needs. Mali does not produce any oil or gas of its own, but some exploration is underway. In order to reduce damage to the ecosystem, consumption of firewood absolutely must be limited. The country has potential in terms of new and renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy. With an average solar potential of five kilowatt hours per square meter per day, Mali can hope to maximize this perennial natural resource in order to stop, or at least considerably reduce, the exhaustion of forest resources. The currently high cost of solar energy is one of the major obstacles to broad use of this resource. More research is required to make this form of energy accessible to the great majority of Malians. The current law forbidding use of solar energy in areas served by the state owned power company should be repealed. If climate change results in even less rainfall for this region of Africa, as some forecast that it will, then there are likely to be additional blackouts and negative economic consequences for an already impoverished area.