The Southern African Electricity
Supply Industry (ESI) is working very hard to ensure that the
region has sufficient electricity supply come 2007, and beyond.
It is predicted that the region will be short of supply by then
if no new energy sources are implemented.
Most notable of
all efforts by the region to ensure a constant supply of electricity
is the recent hosting of the Regional Electricity Investment
Conference (REIC) in Windhoek from 19 – 21 September 2005. The
conference, which was aimed at facilitating funding and investment
in the region’s generation and transmission projects, received the
desired response from investors and financiers alike. (See pages
2-3)
Another
commendable achievement is the signing of the Shareholders Agreement
for the Joint Venture Company, Westcor (Pty) Ltd by the power
utilities of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Angola,
Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. The Westcor project intends to
harness the environmentally friendly, renewable, hydroelectric
energy of the Congo River in the DRC, to produce and supply
electricity to the five countries, and ultimately to the whole SADC
region.
On the home
front, Namibia through NamPower is also working hard towards
securing a bright future for the country and the region at large. A
lot of work has gone into the Kudu Power Project and continues to,
in order to pull this project off the ground by 2009.
Namibia is also
in continuous consultation with Angola for the development of a
hydropower plant on the Kunene River which the two countries share.
The Caprivi Link, between Namibia and Zambia, is another project in
progress as you will read in this issue.
It is such
commitment, hard work and cooperation within the region that made
the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) to prosper over the past ten
years. Looking back at its achievements of the past ten years (see
page 6), we can only wish our region the best in its endeavours to
ensure the continued supply of electricity.
There is of
course a lighter side after all the serious reading in the front
pages. Light but very inspiring reading follows, such as the story
on page 10. It is conduct such as that from the three colleagues
that should makes us sit and think about how we carry out our
duties. Do we go all the way or do we just do our work because it
has to be done. May their outlook on their work serve as an
inspiration to all of us.
The edutainment
continues with the turn of every page. Enjoy!
Tangeni |
