APP Meeting Ends with Call for Greater Regional Cooperation in Energy Sector
The 66th Management Committee Meeting of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) has concluded with a call for stronger cooperation among member utilities to address growing energy challenges across Southern Africa.
The four-day meeting, held from 9 to 12 March at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka, brought together 17 power utilities from 12 countries in the region to discuss strategies for strengthening regional electricity supply and market integration.
Closing the meeting, Justin Loongo, Managing Director of ZESCO Limited, urged SAPP members to deepen collaboration to tackle electricity shortages and invest in sustainable energy solutions.
“As we reflect on the achievements of the past three decades, we must recognise that the region now stands at a critical juncture. Across Southern Africa, demand for electricity continues to grow rapidly, driven by industrial development, population growth and expanding economic activity,” Eng. Loongo said.
He noted that the region continues to face challenges related to generation deficits, climate variability and transmission constraints, pointing to recent droughts that have affected hydro-dependent power systems across parts of Southern Africa.
The ZESCO Managing Director said the region possesses vast energy resources, including hydropower, solar, wind, coal and gas, which could transform Southern Africa into one of the most competitive energy markets if fully harnessed.
“Equally important, we must recognise the enormous opportunities that lie ahead for the Southern African Power Pool,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zambia’s government urged the regional body to support Africa’s Mission 300 initiative, which seeks to expand electricity access across the continent.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Energy, Arnold Simwaba challenged delegates to work towards achieving the five pillars of the Mission 300 framework. These include expanding least-cost power generation, strengthening regional electricity markets, improving last-mile access to power, increasing private sector participation and improving the financial performance of power utilities.
Eng. Simwaba acknowledged that many utilities across the region continue to face financial difficulties due to high distribution losses, infrastructure theft, vandalism and operational inefficiencies, which cost millions of dollars annually.
“As such, there is a need for innovative technical solutions, stronger regulatory enforcement and unified regional frameworks to ensure that our utilities remain financially viable and attractive to concessional financing,” he said.
The meeting forms part of ongoing efforts by SAPP member utilities to strengthen regional energy cooperation and address the growing demand for electricity across Southern Africa.
