2 African Energy Challenges in the Transition Era …
59
transmission and distribution facilities to distribute electricity to those
rural communities.
This kind of situation calls for a decentralized energy distribution
strategy through the deployment of an off-grid system such as solar
and mini-hydropower generation capacities. One of the advantages of
such decentralized energy distribution system is that it reduces power
loss. It addresses the social inequalities reinforced by centralized grids.
Currently, existing grids favour wealthier communities located in areas
where the limited grid exists and can comfortably afford the fees for
connection.
63 These inequalities leave rural communities with limited
options for access to electricity. Hence, this intraregional electricity gap
created by these inequalities hinders the welfare development of those
who live in poor rural communities. Therefore, it is the aim of this
section to bring to fore the areas such as these social inequalities that
require regional cooperation to tackle the growing rate of energy poverty.
The regional approach must be deployed synergistically with national
energy systems as a solution. Lack of regional cooperation may result
in the continued stranded energy projects which will send a negative
impression and deter investments in the region’s energy space.
64
Regional cooperation for both ECOWAS and SADC region are vital
in addressing the ongoing changes in policy and regulatory reforms
that occur at the national level. If there is a regional regulatory policy
framework that governs such regional energy projects, it should preclude
political class at the national level to arbitrarily change and make policies that will affect the investments in the energy sector. This will scale
up the predictability threshold for policy and regulatory regimes in the
region. To actualize electricity energy access, both regions must rely on
a combination of avenues and strategies ranging from seeking financial
support and investment, synergize between centralized and decentralized
energy systems to improved institutional capacity and management. All
63 The Economist, ‘Rise of the Super Grid: Electricity Now Flows Across Continents, Courtesy
of Direct Current’, The Economist, 2017.
64 G Montmasson-Clair and B Deonarain, ‘Regional Integration in Southern Africa: A Platform
for Electricity Sustainability’, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies Working Paper (2017),
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52246331e4b0a46e5f1b8ce5/t/5982f327cf81e0b4f50f7
d0e/1501754170654/Parallel+3A_Gaylor+Montmasson-Clair+%26+Bhavna+Deonarain_TIPS.
pdf. Last accessed on 30 March 2020.
59
transmission and distribution facilities to distribute electricity to those
rural communities.
This kind of situation calls for a decentralized energy distribution
strategy through the deployment of an off-grid system such as solar
and mini-hydropower generation capacities. One of the advantages of
such decentralized energy distribution system is that it reduces power
loss. It addresses the social inequalities reinforced by centralized grids.
Currently, existing grids favour wealthier communities located in areas
where the limited grid exists and can comfortably afford the fees for
connection.
63 These inequalities leave rural communities with limited
options for access to electricity. Hence, this intraregional electricity gap
created by these inequalities hinders the welfare development of those
who live in poor rural communities. Therefore, it is the aim of this
section to bring to fore the areas such as these social inequalities that
require regional cooperation to tackle the growing rate of energy poverty.
The regional approach must be deployed synergistically with national
energy systems as a solution. Lack of regional cooperation may result
in the continued stranded energy projects which will send a negative
impression and deter investments in the region’s energy space.
64
Regional cooperation for both ECOWAS and SADC region are vital
in addressing the ongoing changes in policy and regulatory reforms
that occur at the national level. If there is a regional regulatory policy
framework that governs such regional energy projects, it should preclude
political class at the national level to arbitrarily change and make policies that will affect the investments in the energy sector. This will scale
up the predictability threshold for policy and regulatory regimes in the
region. To actualize electricity energy access, both regions must rely on
a combination of avenues and strategies ranging from seeking financial
support and investment, synergize between centralized and decentralized
energy systems to improved institutional capacity and management. All
63 The Economist, ‘Rise of the Super Grid: Electricity Now Flows Across Continents, Courtesy
of Direct Current’, The Economist, 2017.
64 G Montmasson-Clair and B Deonarain, ‘Regional Integration in Southern Africa: A Platform
for Electricity Sustainability’, Trade & Industrial Policy Strategies Working Paper (2017),
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/52246331e4b0a46e5f1b8ce5/t/5982f327cf81e0b4f50f7
d0e/1501754170654/Parallel+3A_Gaylor+Montmasson-Clair+%26+Bhavna+Deonarain_TIPS.
pdf. Last accessed on 30 March 2020.