The impact of Africa’s rising number of renewable energy projects is being leveraged by more extensive powerline connectivity, in line with a vision for a regional power network.
Namibia and Angola are among those countries in southern Africa that are leveraging their competitive advantages in renewable energy sources. With its wind and solar resources, Namibia has its eyes on producing low-carbon electricity and green hydrogen – opening the door to the production of green hot briquetted iron. In Angola, the proposed Baynes Hydropower Plant on the Kunene River plans to generate 600 MW of clean power.
To distribute this energy to mining complexes, industrial hubs and other demand points, a number of powerlines are currently underway. These interconnectors are growing the potential for sharing of energy across borders within the southern African region, according to Darryll Kilian, Partner and Principal Environmental Consultant at SRK Consulting (South Africa).
Exporting Power
“African countries are generating power for their own use, but many are looking to increase electricity sales across their borders”, said Kilian. “An added advantage of extending this infrastructure is that it provides greater network resilience if there are temporary shortages caused by breakdowns or – in the case of hydro power – reduced generation due to drought”.
To accelerate energy projects in the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the World Bank has invested almost US$30 million with the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), he pointed out.
“SRK Consulting (South Africa) assisted the SAPP almost ten years ago to develop an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) – to facilitate the screening and assessment of priority power projects in line with lenders’ safeguard requirements,” said Kilian. “This has helped to speed up their implementation across the sub-continent”.
The Mozambique–Malawi Interconnector has also reached financial close and is starting construction, while both the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector and the Angola–Namibia Interconnector have completed feasibility studies and environmental assessments. Eleven other regional energy projects have also seen progress, with 18 preparatory studies completed on these schemes.
