Staff writer
There have been calls to intensify programmes of making electricity accessible to communities in the SADC region as research has revealed that 172 million people in the region have no access to electricity.
In his remarks during the official opening of the SADC sustainable energy week in Gabarone, Botswana, today. the regional body’s executive secretary, Elias Magosi, said funds must be availed to establish rural electrification agencies and also diversify technological approaches to target the rural populace in the region.
” It has been stated that approximately 600 million people in the Sub-Saharan Africa do not have access to electricity, and out of this figure, almost 172 million or 29%, are SADC citizens, given the region’s current access rate of 56%,” said Magosi.
” Therefore, it is my appeal that we intensify the level of access to electricity by creating and embracing innovative financing mechanisms and alternative access solutions. These should include dedicated funds for electrification, institutional arrangements such as establishment of the rural electrification agencies, as well as diversifying technological approaches, including grid extensions, smart grids technologies, and especially off-grid solutions to target most of our rural and disadvantaged population.
“These may include renewable energy based micro or mini-grids, and stand-alone solar systems, among others.
Magosi said it was important that mechanisms must be put in place to lure investment into the electricity provision sector.
“Equally important, we must address the issue of affordability head on, as well as the creation of an enabling environment for the increased participation of investors and other players including the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and independent Transmission Systems Operators (TSOs) in the Energy Supply Industry (ESI).
“We have observed that Member States, through the establishment of Energy Regulators, are slowly migrating towards cost-reflective tariffs with a pro-poor element, to ensure that basic electricity needs are met on monthly basis, while promoting investment in the energy supply industry. It is also encouraging to note that some of our Member States have introduced almost zero electricity connection fees to tackle the issue of affordability and access. The above steps are indeed commendable and, where possible, they should be replicated across the region,” he added.