Minister Moyo urges SAPP experts to deliver energy solutions

 

STAFF WRITER

Energy and Power Development Minister, July Moyo, has issued a clarion call to Southern Africa Power Pool (SAPP) experts to device innovative solutions that will secure the region’s energy future, Business Times can report.

His appeal comes at a time when Southern Africa’s power crisis demands bold and urgent action.

Speaking at the 64th SAPP Management Committee Meeting in the resort city of Victoria Falls on Friday, Moyo urged power sector professionals to rise to the challenge.

“The SADC region’s economies are continuing to grow in fulfilment of the SADC industrialisation thrust and hence the region needs more power,” Moyo declared.

“I therefore call upon you as experts in the field to continue to apply your minds and bring to the table solutions that will keep the lights on, commerce ticking, industry running and agriculture flourishing even in these challenging environments.

“Electricity is one of the critical driving forces for economic development and you are at the centre of making it work.”

With a power generation shortfall of nearly 4,000 megawatts (MW), aging infrastructure, and the growing threat of climate change, the SADC region faces a severe energy crisis.

However, Moyo emphasized that the solutions lie within reach—if regional stakeholders act decisively.

Southern Africa’s electricity supply is under severe strain, with demand outpacing supply in multiple countries.

Climate change has further aggravated the situation, with the low water levels at Kariba Dam significantly reducing hydropower output in Zimbabwe and Zambia, leading to crippling power shortages.

“The SADC region has huge energy resource potential in the form of coal, gas, nuclear, hydro, and renewable energy that need to be exploited in an economically sound and sustainable manner for the benefit of the whole region,” Moyo said.

Beyond generation shortfalls, SADC nations struggle with inadequate transmission infrastructure, high power losses, and limited regional trade of electricity due to transmission constraints.

Moyo acknowledged these obstacles but stressed that regional cooperation and strategic investment could unlock new energy opportunities.

SAPP, established in 1995, is a regional initiative that facilitates electricity trading among SADC member states.

Its main objective is to promote regional integration, improve energy access, and develop a competitive electricity market to ensure a stable and sustainable power supply.

Moyo praised SAPP for its role in mitigating power shortages through cross-border electricity trading, but he urged further action.

“Your last pool plan demonstrated that the region can save up to US$37 billion in net present value terms if coordinated planning is followed,” he said, highlighting the economic advantages of collaborative energy development.

A major hindrance to energy security in the region is the lack of transmission capacity, particularly along the central transmission corridor.

To address this, SAPP is working on a Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility, which aims to unlock transmission bottlenecks through blended financing and private-sector investment.

“With the regulatory environment changing, we expect to see more and more private-sector participation in both generation and transmission investments,” Moyo said.

“The facility, when set up, is expected to attract new sources of finance from the private sector as well as green climate funds and provide an opportunity for the acceleration of project development.”

In addition to generation and transmission challenges, rising vandalism of power infrastructure has emerged as a serious threat to energy security in the region.

Moyo assured stakeholders that SADC energy ministers are prioritizing strategies to curb this growing menace at both national and regional levels.

Despite the daunting challenges, Minister Moyo remains confident that Southern Africa can overcome its energy crisis through strategic planning, investment, and collaboration.

He urged power sector experts to act with urgency to implement sustainable energy solutions that will drive economic growth and regional stability.

With energy demand rising and infrastructure vulnerabilities growing, the SADC region stands at a crossroads. The decisions made today will determine the future of power security across Southern Africa.

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