Seven of the 12 SAPP countries, among them Zimbabwe, are facing serious electricity shortfalls that have forced authorities in many cases to implement sever power rationing to both domestic and commercial consumers. The other five SAPP have either adequate or excess supplies.
In a statement recently the SAPP said over the longer horizon of 15 years, massive investments will be needed in the power sector in the region to bring on board an additional 57 000 MW at a cost of $83 billion.
The major projects to be implemented include, Mozambique Mphanda Nkuwa (1 300MW), Moatize (600MW), Moamba (700MW) and Benga (450MW). In Namibia, Kudu (800MW) and Walvis Bay (400MW), South Africa, Kusile (1 600MW), Medupi (1 600MW) and Ingula (999MW).
Zambia plans to build power stations at Kafue Gorge Lower (750MW), Batoka North (800MW), Mpata Gorge North (800MW), Devils Gorge North (800MW) and Kariba North Bank Extension (360MW).
In Zimbabwe, generation projects are planned at Kariba South Extension (300MW), Gokwe North (1 400MW), Batoka South (800MW), Mpata Gorge South (800MW), Devils Gorge South (800MW) and Hwange Extension (600MW).
SAPP said that the total available capacity of the twelve SAPP utilities is 49 091MW, which is more than the peak demand of 43 722MW by a whooping 5 369MW.
For SAPP interconnected members, the surplus is 5 159MW (available is 47 114 MW vs. peak demand of 41 955MW).
However the power alliance said that if a 10.2 percent standard reserve margin is factored in, the surplus for the whole SAPP reduces substantially to 909MW, while for the interconnected SAPP members it drops to 879MW.
“Therefore, supply in relation to demand remains very tight. This is exemplified by the fact that the average yearly growth in demand in SAPP is about 4 perecnt which translates into approximately 2000MW per year,” the SAPP said.
The power pool adds that one year’s increase in demand wipes out any surplus that might exist unless new generation comes on stream before then.
The SAPP is also planning several projects to upgrade the transmission network with one project, the ZIZABONA transmission expected to improve connection between Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
Phase one of the project will link Hwange to Livingstone in Zambia while phase two will be linking Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
The SAPP is also focusing on regulatory reforms in the region. “Cost reflective tariffs are needed to support the much needed new investments in power generation plants planned,” it said.
Zimbabwes total requirement stands at 2 000 MW, but the country is currently generating around 1 100 MW.
The country imports 150MW from Mozambique and another 125MW from Zambia to ease power shortages.
Post published in: News