Energy lights our world, heats our food and keeps us connected. Demand for energy is dramatically increasing as the human population grows exponentially. The world’s population has jumped from three billion in 1960 to over seven billion today and we are facing a global energy crisis if more sustainable sources of energy are not developed. Experts are clear that urgent solutions need to be found, but what are the best solutions? Is renewable energy like solar and wind power the right answer? Redi Tlhabi speaks to Professor Mosad Elmissiry, the head of the Energy Programme at the New Africa Partnership (NEPAD). Redi also speaks to Dr Christoph Frei, the head of the World Energy Council (WEC), and Birgitta Resvik, who works for a Finnish multi-national company, Fortum.