December 2014

The southern African Power Pool says all countries in SADC need to have an integrated approach to address power constraints in the region by 2018, but in the meantime, load-shedding will continue.

The Coordination Centre Manager of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), Dr Lawrence Musaba, said that targets for 2014 are likely to be missed due to lack of investment and delayed implementation of regional power projects.

“Between now and 2018 load-shedding in the region will continue due to lack of implementation and delays in implementing other projects in the region.”

Addressing delegates at the Regional Energy Regulators Association (RERA) for Southern Africa meeting in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Musaba said the region was expecting to commission 2,896 Megawatts (MW) this year, but the target is likely to be missed.

“Power deficits in SADC started in 2007 and at the moment we’re commissioning projects that generate 1,100 megawatts yearly while the demand for energy is rising,” Musaba said.

“Our planned generation for the period 2014-2018 stands at 28,000 MW. By 2016, we should be getting out of the deficit if the projects are implemented. There is need for the region to implement the planned projects.”

SAPP is constituted by 12 mainland SADC Member States who together manage a regional energy grid, although some countries are not yet inter-connected