Sadc develops 63 key infrastructure projects
A TOTAL of 63 infrastructure projects have been developed in the Sadc region including 17 regional energy investments under the second Priority Action Plan for Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa and the African Union continental strategic infrastructure framework.
In a statement, Sadc said notable progress has been recorded in the preparation and implementation of priority interconnector projects to connect Angola, Malawi and Tanzania to the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).
“A total of 63 regional infrastructure projects have been developed in the Southern African Development Community (Sadc) region, including 17 regional energy projects under the second Priority Action Plan for Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA PAP 2), the African Union continental strategic infrastructure framework,” Sadc executive secretary, Dr Stergomena Tax, was quoted as saying during the region’s virtual Council of Ministers meeting hosted by Mozambique recently.
The Sadc Council of Ministers discussed policies, strategies and programmes geared towards consolidating regional integration in fulfilment of the council’s mandate as spelt out in Article 11 of the Sadc Treaty.
The Mozambique-Malawi interconnector reached financial closure in September 2019 and is at the construction stage. The target is to commission this project by the end of next year.
The Zambia-Tanzania interconnector includes several components and is at construction phase on both the Zambian side and Tanzanian side where the two transmission lines were designed to converge near Nakonde Border by 2022.
“The other regional projects at the construction stage include Julius Nyerere hydropower in the United Republic of Tanzania and Kafue Gorge Lower hydropower in Zambia,” it said.
Other notable energy projects in the region, which are at the preparation stage include the Second Alaska-Sherwood; Angola-Democratic Republic of Congo; Malawi-Zambia; Baynes transmission project; Mozambique-Tanzania transmission interconnectors; and the Mozambique integrated transmission backbone.
Other regional power generation projects also at preparation stage include the Batoka Gorge between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Caculo Cabaca Hydropower in Angola; Lesotho Highlands; Songwe between Malawi and the United Republic of Tanzania; Mpanda Nkuwa, Cahora Bassa North Bank (CBN) hydropower and Boroma hydropower and Temane gas in Mozambique; Baynes hydropower in Namibia; Rumakali and Ruhudji hydropower in the United Republic of Tanzania; Luapula, Mulembo Lelya and Kalungwishi hydropower projects in Zambia.
Sadc said a study to create an enabling environment for developing energy projects has been commissioned.
The establishment of the Regional Transmission Infrastructure Financing Facility (RTIFF), which has already identified core services and institutional arrangements under which RTIFF can operate is expected to be concluded by the end of March next year after consideration by the council.
The development of the Regional Gas Master Plan has also commenced, with Phase I concluded in October last year.
It covered gas demand and supply assessment, gas market study and capacity building needs. Phase II covering the soft and hard gas infrastructure blueprint for the region will commence during the first quarter of 2021/22 financial year. –chronice.c.zw
