SADC Urged to Invest in Renewable Sources of Energy

SADC urged to invest in renewable sources of energy

HARARE, April 25 (Xinhua) — Zimbabwe Vice-president Joyce Mujuru has urged Southern African countries to increase use of alternative sources of energy to alleviate the power shortage facing the region, Zimbabwe Vice President Joice Mujuru said on Wednesday.

Southern African countries have a huge potential for generating power from renewable sources like solar energy, both collectively and as individual countries and they should pay necessary attention to the development and promotion of such alternative energy sources, she said at the official opening of the three-day meeting of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) energy ministers that started on Monday.

She said the region faced a major challenge of developing a robust regional energy sector able to support and sustain regional economic growth and development.

Mujuru said it was imperative that the region pool its resources and come up with investment programs that would ensure sufficient energy for the region.

Investors are in search of huge markets, with policy predictability in the legislative, regulatory and other domains so that they can enjoy the benefits associated with economies of scale, she said.

Most SADC countries are facing power shortages as a result of declining generating capacity. The region has the potential to generate 53,000 megawatts (MW) but is currently producing around 45,000 MW.

The ministers’ meeting is expected to come up with concrete resolutions aimed at addressing energy challenges facing the region.

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