Makoko 2035: An Encyclopedia

Energy Production

Early on in the conflict between Makoko and the authorities of the Lagos mainland, it became apparent to the latter that the best way to drive the settlers out would be to sever the many illegal connections Makokoans had made to the mainland power grid. To the surprise of everyone (excepting, of course, Makoans themselves) this had exactly the opposite effect. The symbol of Makoko is the fishing net, which is telling of the way they forge connections of all kinds—social, technological, infrastructural, familial. Leaving aside the fact that the web of illicit electrical connections had become so dense and entangled that it thwarted any attempt at a complete severance of Makoko from the grid, just the existence of such a threat prompted them to put their ingenuity into action.

The local hacker spaces began a large scale energy production project, producing devices cobbled together from recycled motors, new and used solar cells, rechargeable batteries, windmills, and most recently small scale water towers that draw water from the lagoon, which may be released to drive turbines when necessary. These new strategies when added to the persisting connections to the Lagos grid, mean that Makoko currently has more electricity than ever before—quite a feat for a city on the water.

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