SADC to roll out 3000 MW of new power in 2016

• 7 years ago (2016-05-10)
• David Flin

Africa 302

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Southern Africa aims to commission new power projects that will add 3059 MW of capacity in 2016, in a bid to help the region meet its energy needs by 2020. According to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), which coordinates the planning, generation, and transmission of electricity on behalf of member state utilities, the majority of the new power is expected to come from South Africa. At least three generation projects with a combined output of 1624 MW will be commissioned in South Africa. Zambia is expected to contribute 300 MW, while Angola, which is yet to be linked to the regional grid, will contribute 780 MW.

Of the new generation projects planned for commissioning this year, only 2269 MW will be added to the regional grid, since the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is not yet fully integrated. Of the 12 countries, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are connected to the grid, while Angola, Malawi, and Tanzania are not yet connected.

In 2016, there will be just two new coal projects with a combined capacity of 390 MW.