SADC to effect measures on region’s power deficit threat

THE just-ended Southern African Development Community summit in Mauritius took into consideration the presentation by SADC energy ministers on the diminishing generation surplus capacity in the region.

The power supply situation in the SADC region will reach crisis levels by 2007 if no concrete steps are taken to increase the region’s electricity generation capacity. SADC energy ministers last month mandated Mines and Energy Minister Dr Nickey Iyambo to present the urgent issue to the summit held last week in Mauritius.On behalf of the region’s energy ministers, Iyambo submitted projects for generation capacity expansions for the periods 2005 to 2010 and from 2011 to 2020 respectively during the summit.A media statement issued by Minister Iyambo on Friday indicated that the Kudu Gas Field would be Namibia’s short-term project.On what transpired at the summit, Iyambo said, “I, on behalf of my SADC colleagues, briefed Council about the diminishing power generation surplus in the region.”Council fully appreciated the comprehensive briefing and the urgency of the development challenge, which will negatively affect the region’s attraction of investment and economic growth, if no urgent action is taken.”The SADC ministers of energy met in Windhoek last month to discuss, among other things, the diminishing generation surplus capacity and the status of power generation in the region.In the last 10 years, the SADC electricity demand has been increasing at a rate of about three per cent per year.There, however, has not been corresponding investment in generation to meet the rising demand.The ministers came up with recommendations and it was then that the Minister Iyambo was mandated to lead a delegation to the SADC summit in Mauritius and present to the SADC heads of states the issue of diminishing generation surplus capacity in the region.Minister Iyambo said the SADC heads of states took into cognizance the importance of the matter at approved that urgent decisive measures be taken.The SADC council urged member states to work closely, and also work with development partners, with a view to fast track the implementation of the short-term power generation projects.It was also underscored that planned developments on the Inga Site in the Democratic Republic of Congo which project would initially harness between 3 000 megawatts and 5 000 megawatts, or 10 per cent of the total potential, which would be transmitted over 3 000km to member countries.Later phases would develop the project towards its 39 000 megawatts potential.The 39 000MW would meet the demand for electricity throughout Africa.Members states are also to explore other sources of renewable energy to complement investment projects.Through the Integrated Council of Ministers a sub-committee of ministers that would monitor progress on the implementation of both the short and long-term priority plans.SADC energy ministers last month mandated Mines and Energy Minister Dr Nickey Iyambo to present the urgent issue to the summit held last week in Mauritius.On behalf of the region’s energy ministers, Iyambo submitted projects for generation capacity expansions for the periods 2005 to 2010 and from 2011 to 2020 respectively during the summit.A media statement issued by Minister Iyambo on Friday indicated that the Kudu Gas Field would be Namibia’s short-term project.On what transpired at the summit, Iyambo said, “I, on behalf of my SADC colleagues, briefed Council about the diminishing power generation surplus in the region.”Council fully appreciated the comprehensive briefing and the urgency of the development challenge, which will negatively affect the region’s attraction of investment and economic growth, if no urgent action is taken.”The SADC ministers of energy met in Windhoek last month to discuss, among other things, the diminishing generation surplus capacity and the status of power generation in the region.In the last 10 years, the SADC electricity demand has been increasing at a rate of about three per cent per year.There, however, has not been corresponding investment in generation to meet the rising demand.The ministers came up with recommendations and it was then that the Minister Iyambo was mandated to lead a delegation to the SADC summit in Mauritius and present to the SADC heads of states the issue of diminishing generation surplus capacity in the region.Minister Iyambo said the SADC heads of states took into cognizance the importance of the matter at approved that urgent decisive measures be taken.The SADC council urged member states to work closely, and also work with development partners, with a view to fast track the implementation of the short-term power generation projects.It was also underscored that planned developments on the Inga Site in the Democratic Republic of Congo which project would initially harness between 3 000 megawatts and 5 000 megawatts, or 10 per cent of the total potential, which would be transmitted over 3 000km to member countries.Later phases would develop the project towards its 39 000 megawatts potential.The 39 000MW would meet the demand for electricity throughout Africa.Members states are also to explore other sources of renewable energy to complement investment projects.Through the Integrated Council of Ministers a sub-committee of ministers that would monitor progress on the implementation of both the short and long-term priority plans.