It has been exporting its surplus to neighbouring countries, including Namibia, for decades.

Large housing and electricity projects and huge investments in South Africa's mining sector shrunk and the electricity surplus and exports were reduced.

"During the 2006 World Soccer Cup in Germany individual games saw power demand soar by 2 800 megawatt, the equivalent of more than a million kettles being switched on," Ndhlukula said.

"Most common surges in electricity demand by as much as ten per cent at events like the Olympics or the world soccer when people watch them on television either at home or on huge monitors erected at city centres," according to Ndhlukula, who is attached to the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Institute.

"The number of visitors to South Africa expected for the two months spanning the event in 2010 is expected to be 500 000 and it is winter in the southern hemisphere when the World Cup takes place.

This additional load to the electricity supply might exceed the capacity of the power network," the expert outlined.

Namibia lent US$40 million to Zimbabwe in 2007 to rehabilitate the Hwange coal-fired station in western Zimbabwe in exchange for a 150 MW power supply for five years.

Delivery started this year and the full capacity is expected by next month.

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