JICA joins SAPP in promoting renewable energy in Southern Africa

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has officially signed a Record of Discussions with the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) for the “Project for Strengthening Regional Power System of Southern African Power Pool,” a significant technical cooperation endeavor.

The Southern Africa region holds immense potential for renewable energy sources like hydro, solar, and wind power. However, the distribution of these resources is uneven, hindering their full utilization across the region. Additionally, with electricity demand projected to surge in the coming years, reaching 85,000 MW by 2040, there’s a pressing need to ensure access to clean and affordable electricity. This necessitates the development of renewable energy sources and the integration of electricity sharing within the region.

Facilitated through SAPP, headquartered in Zimbabwe, this project aims to bolster capacity building for wide-area system operation and electricity market operation for the power utilities of 12 SAPP member countries. By doing so, it will play a pivotal role in promoting stable access to clean and affordable electricity in Southern Africa.

Moreover, this initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goals 7 (Affordable and clean energy), 13 (Climate action), and 17 (Partnerships for the goals).

The project, expected to span 36 months, will be executed by the Southern African Power Pool Coordination Centre and target the Harare City and 12 countries in the Southern Africa region, including Angola, Botswana, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Key components of the project include identifying priority areas for wide-area power-infrastructure development, implementing improved measures for system operation and control through regional training, and enhancing electricity market operation through similar means.

This initiative marks a significant step towards enhancing regional power systems, fostering sustainability, and driving economic development in Southern Africa.