Weekly projects and energy updates in South Africa

Public-private partnerships key for gas infrastructure development in SADC region

Speaking [Nepad Business Foundation (NBF) Africa infrastructure programme manager Peter Varndell] at the Africa Gas Forum, in Johannesburg, he said there was strong gas supply potential in the SADC region, but a weak market to deliver to within SADC’s borders.

He noted that a multi-stakeholder platform for public-private sector dialogue would enable and support the monetisation of natural gas resources in the region.

Engineering News, 19 February 2018

Central Africa to receive improved energy access

The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) has contracted UK engineering consultant, WSP, to develop a proposed 330 kV interconnector between Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to improve energy access.

The project aims to support the development of an efficient and competitive regional power market to reduce electricity prices in the region.

According to the engineers, a strong transmission link will help the DRC and Zambia to improve the security and reliability of the power networks and to foster economic development and regional integration. 

The 330 kV transmission line will connect Kolwezi in DRC to the district of Solwezi in Zambia, through the Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) network at Lumwana or Kalumbila Substation and the future Société Nationale d’Electricité (SNEL) network at Kolwezi NRO substation.

ESI Africa, 14 February 2018 

Robust energy base key to industrialisation

Public–private partnership South African Electrotechnical Export Council (SAEEC) CEO, Chiboni Evans, states that Africa’s industrialisation can occur only if countries have a robust energy base.

Key to establishing this robust energy base is the generation and transmission of electricity, as well as creating access to electricity for a country’s manufacturing and consumer base to ensure that economic growth takes place, she explains.

The necessary investment in power infrastructure roll-out for Africa is estimated at between US$20 billion and US$42 billion yearly over the next ten years.

Engineering News, 16 February 2018 

Morocco approves two hydropower plants

French renewable energy producer, Voltalia has obtained permits for the development of two hydropower plants with a capacity of 9.8 MW and 7.2 MW, respectively in Morocco.

This was revealed during a Photovoltaica congress of renewable energies in Marrakech. Delivered by the Moroccan Ministry for Energy, the permits relate to two hydropower plant projects that will be located in the Middle-Atlas region.

These hydropower projects form part of Morocco’s ambitious objective aiming to source 52% of its installed capacity from renewable energy by 2030.

ESI Africa, 15 February 2018 

The above reflects a summary of certain news articles published during the preceding week.