Future energy needs and alternative sources for Zaire

For Zaire, it is concluded that only five alternative energy sources are capable of replacing oil in the future. Three of these (solar energy, biomass and hydroelectric power) are renewable and could supply energy at the current national consumption rate indefinitely. Two others (nuclear energy and coal) are non-renewable, are large enough to replace oil, and will satisfy the national energy needs at recent rates for 1646 or 234 years, respectively. Other supplementary sources (oil shale, oil, natural gas, and tar sands) exist. To use solar energy and biomass more efficiently requires the development of appropriate conversion processes. Careful use of these alternative technologies is shown to be beneficial. (author)