Powerless: SADC’s Desperate Struggle to Keep the Lights On

By Shingirai Vambe

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) is facing a severe energy crisis that threatens to undermine the region’s economic growth and development. The crisis is characterized by a debilitating shortage of power generation capacity, inadequate infrastructure, and a heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources.

At the heart of the crisis is a chronic shortage of power generation capacity. The region’s power grid is struggling to keep up with growing demand, resulting in frequent power outages and load shedding. The situation is particularly dire in countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, where power outages have become a daily occurrence.

The roots of the crisis can be traced back to a lack of investment in the energy sector over the past few decades. Many of the region’s power plants are aging and in dire need of maintenance and upgrading. Furthermore, the region’s energy infrastructure is inadequate, with many countries relying on outdated transmission lines and distribution networks.

Another significant factor contributing to the crisis is the region’s heavy reliance on non-renewable energy sources like coal and gas. These sources are not only harmful to the environment but also subject to volatile price fluctuations. The region’s reliance on imported fuel has also made it vulnerable to external shocks, such as price hikes and supply disruptions.

The consequences of the energy crisis are far-reaching and devastating. Power outages have resulted in significant economic losses, with businesses forced to shut down or operate at reduced capacity. The crisis has also had a severe impact on the region’s industrial sector, with many factories forced to close or relocate to other regions with more reliable power supplies.

The energy crisis has also had significant social implications. Power outages have disrupted the supply of essential services like water and healthcare, exacerbating the already dire living conditions faced by many in the region.

A case in study, the Zimbabwe Regulatory Authority  (ZERA) told the Post on Sunday Newspaper that, Hydro power has remained the dominant  source of energy though it decreased from 43% to 34.2% in 2023-2024 evidenced by a sharp increase in solar energy uptake for the same period, from 0.6 to 0.8 percent, and it is likely to increase with everyday load shedding as major mining, tourism and manufacturing companies are now resorting to clean and solar energy sources.

ZERA added and said, non-renewable thermal power remain dominant, which accounts for the majority of the energy mix, recording an increase from 52 percent to 62 percent between 2022 and 2024. grid power has remained cheaper source of energy for the citizens of Zimbabwe and businesses, though unavailable

In an effort to address the crisis, SADC countries have embarked on a series of initiatives aimed at increasing power generation capacity and improving energy efficiency. These initiatives include the development of renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, as well as the upgrading of existing power infrastructure.

However, the region faces significant challenges in implementing these initiatives. Funding is a major constraint, with many countries struggling to secure the necessary financing to upgrade their energy infrastructure. Additionally, the region’s energy sector is plagued by inefficiencies and corruption, which have hindered efforts to address the crisis.

Despite these challenges, there are glimmers of hope. The region has made significant progress in developing renewable energy sources, with countries like South Africa and Namibia leading the way. Furthermore, there is growing recognition of the need for a coordinated regional approach to address the energy crisis.

In conclusion, the SADC energy crisis is a complex and multifaceted issue that requires a coordinated and sustained response from the region’s governments, businesses, and civil society. While progress has been made in developing renewable energy sources, much work remains to be done to address the region’s energy challenges and ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all.