4 200 MW SAPP deficit underscores urgency of regional power integration – Graham-Maré

Although the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) faces a series of significant obstacles – such as insufficient transmission infrastructure; drought conditions affecting hydropower plants; theft and vandalism; high technical and non-technical losses; funding gaps; and a 4 200 MW generation shortfall across interconnected member States – South Africa’s Deputy Electricity and Energy Minister Samantha Jane Graham-Maré has said these are surmountable with the right kind of cooperation and funding. “These are not small issues. They affect our economies, our communities and our ability for our industries to grow. But here’s the good news: these challenges are not insurmountable. Think about it this way: if every country tries to build everything on its own, we spend more and we waste more.