A "quick and dirty" solution to part of your energy crunch. Quick because the resource is already there, dirty because it grows in mud. Your nation uses charcoal for much of its energy and is having shortages of charcoal. Make charcoal from aquatic weeds. Typha and Phragmites are available in quantity, and are easily used this way. The start up costs are near zero, and everywhere you clear these weeds you will get an improvement in your water supply. You can also make ethanol from these weeds for your other energy needs.