48
M. Irowarisima
taking place. Whereas, for Botswana and Zimbabwe, uranium mining
is currently at exploratory phases.
40
The region has abundant large low-cost hydroelectric dams, especially
the Inga reservoir in the DRC and the Kariba Dam on the Zambia–
Zimbabwe border, can potentially generate up to 150 GW of electricity,
against the present 12 GW of installed capacity. Karhammar speculates
that the SADC region has the possibility of generating 1 080 TWh/year
of electricity from hydroelectric dams. Regrettably, only 31 TWh/year is
being actualized.
41 This, calls for a more robust and aggressive political
and economic will among countries in the region.
In terms of its renewable capacity, the region benefits from
outstanding solar irradiation of about 2500 hours of sunshine a year
which can translate into a generation capacity of 20,000TWh annually.
Although, the potential for wind-based renewable source in the region is
fair but limited to coastal countries reaching considerable levels of about
800 TWh a year. Geothermal energy is not left out in the region’s energy
character portfolio. While power generation projects are underway, and
there are still large generation potential untapped to put the region on
a positive pathway for energy independence and optimal energy access.
According to the IEA’s, just 1% of the solar and wind potential combined
has been harnessed so far.
42 When looking at the antecedents in the
region, it is the postulation of this work that the region still grapple with
these issues despite the fact that the abundant energy potentials are that
the countries are adopting a national or bilateral rather than a regional
initiative built around robust regional cooperation in dealing with an
energy security challenge.
40 A Mikita, and B Merven, ‘Southern African Power Pool: Planning and Prospects for Renewable Energy’, International Renewable Energy Agency Report (Adu Dhabi, 2015), https://www.
irena.org/documentdownloads/publications/sapp.pdf, accessed February 20, 2020.
41 SADC, ‘Energy and Energy Efficiency Strategy & Action Plan: REEESAP 2016–2030’,
Southern African Development Community (Gaborone, 2017).
42 RERA, ‘RERA Publication on Electricity Tariffs & Selected Performance Indicators for the
SADC Region 2014’, Regional Electricity Regulators Association of Southern Africa (Windhoek,
2016).
M. Irowarisima
taking place. Whereas, for Botswana and Zimbabwe, uranium mining
is currently at exploratory phases.
40
The region has abundant large low-cost hydroelectric dams, especially
the Inga reservoir in the DRC and the Kariba Dam on the Zambia–
Zimbabwe border, can potentially generate up to 150 GW of electricity,
against the present 12 GW of installed capacity. Karhammar speculates
that the SADC region has the possibility of generating 1 080 TWh/year
of electricity from hydroelectric dams. Regrettably, only 31 TWh/year is
being actualized.
41 This, calls for a more robust and aggressive political
and economic will among countries in the region.
In terms of its renewable capacity, the region benefits from
outstanding solar irradiation of about 2500 hours of sunshine a year
which can translate into a generation capacity of 20,000TWh annually.
Although, the potential for wind-based renewable source in the region is
fair but limited to coastal countries reaching considerable levels of about
800 TWh a year. Geothermal energy is not left out in the region’s energy
character portfolio. While power generation projects are underway, and
there are still large generation potential untapped to put the region on
a positive pathway for energy independence and optimal energy access.
According to the IEA’s, just 1% of the solar and wind potential combined
has been harnessed so far.
42 When looking at the antecedents in the
region, it is the postulation of this work that the region still grapple with
these issues despite the fact that the abundant energy potentials are that
the countries are adopting a national or bilateral rather than a regional
initiative built around robust regional cooperation in dealing with an
energy security challenge.
40 A Mikita, and B Merven, ‘Southern African Power Pool: Planning and Prospects for Renewable Energy’, International Renewable Energy Agency Report (Adu Dhabi, 2015), https://www.
irena.org/documentdownloads/publications/sapp.pdf, accessed February 20, 2020.
41 SADC, ‘Energy and Energy Efficiency Strategy & Action Plan: REEESAP 2016–2030’,
Southern African Development Community (Gaborone, 2017).
42 RERA, ‘RERA Publication on Electricity Tariffs & Selected Performance Indicators for the
SADC Region 2014’, Regional Electricity Regulators Association of Southern Africa (Windhoek,
2016).