Region needs $83bn for power: The Southern African Power Pool says the region requires around $83 billion for the next seven years to attain 100 per cent accessibility of electricity. Southern Africa’s low rate of accessing electricity has prompted energy regulators, power producers and financiers to deliberate on available opportunities to increase power generation with the adoption of renewable energies for rural areas. Speaking to the ZBC News on the sidelines of the conference, Southern African Power Pool co-ordination centre manager Dr Lawrence Musaba said $83 billion is required for the region to meet the 2025 deadline. “$40 million is required annually for the plan which includes specialised vehicles though Zimbabwe needs 80-120 million dollars annually for the power generation plants. “As a region we need $83 million up until 2025 to ensure that there is sustainable renewable energy generation,” said Musaba. Global sustainable electricity partnership project advisor Luis Calzado said governments in the region should prioritise the use of renewable energy and engage with financial institutions that are willing to fund some of the projects. Calzado said: “We have a number of firms that are willing to partner governments in the rolling out of renewable energy plants the world over.” Figures show that electricity accessibility is a challenge on the African continent with the northern part at 95 per cent while Southern Africa is at 30 per cent accessibility. South Africa’s power accessibility is at 75 per cent while Mauritius has 100 per cent. Zimbabwe is at 40 percent with the rest of the region at less than 40 per cent.
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 13:36:26 +0000
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