Homework for power regulators

SADC regional power regulators have their work cut out if they are to close the gap between the supply and demand of electricity.

However, at a briefing yesterday following the annual conference of the Regional Electricity Regulators Association of Southern Africa, regulator chairman Thembani Bukula gave the assurance that "there are solutions".

Bukala said the problem with Angola's oil, South Africa's coal, and Mozambique's gas was "realising the projects".

"Southern Africa has the highest abundance of [solar] radiation in the whole world. The problem is realising the projects. For governments it is political will, for investors it is returns and getting their product bought," he said.

Dollar-based investment in power projects created problems.

Gas from Mozambique would not be affordable to South Africa if independent power producers injected dollar-based investment into that country.

"In South Africa we have rules around dollar-based investment because it makes it expensive for us to buy power," he said.

Bukula said supply needed to be boosted without drastic measures such as changing legislation in all countries.

He said the regulatory bodies of the association's members would return to their home countries and "identity projects that can be realised quickly as well as create an environment where independent power producers can have an enabling environment".