1. The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) faces a significant electricity generation shortfall, with only 48GW of available capacity compared to a peak demand of 57GW.
2. The SAPP’s electricity generation mix is dominated by coal, with coal accounting for 59% of the total share, followed by hydro, solar PV, distillate, wind, nuclear, and gas turbines.
3. SAPP operates four competitive electricity markets among its member countries, including a Bilateral Market, Forward Physical Markets, Day Ahead Market, and Intra Day Market, with the goal of facilitating a competitive electricity market in the region.
The Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) is a key electricity trading market in Africa, consisting of 12 countries with a total installed generation capacity of 80 GW. However, the available capacity falls short of peak demand, resulting in electricity rationing in countries like South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The generation mix in the SAPP is dominated by coal, followed by hydro, solar PV, distillate, wind, nuclear, and gas turbines.
SAPP operates four competitive electricity markets, aiming to facilitate a competitive electricity market, provide consumer choice, attract investment, and promote sustainable energy development. Interconnections between member countries are crucial, with plans to link Tanzania and Zambia, as well as Angola to Namibia, DRC, and Zambia. Utilizing excess generation capacity in member states like Angola and Tanzania, as well as tapping into renewable resources like wind and geothermal power, are seen as solutions to the electricity generation shortfall.
The SAPP also emphasizes the importance of small-scale distributed renewable projects, such as rooftop solar, in contributing to the local energy mix. By increasing electricity access for citizens and accelerating both interconnection and generation projects, the SAPP aims to address the energy challenges faced by its member states.