Urgent need to diversify Sadc energy mix as climate shocks disrupt power supply

Zimpapers Writer

THE Southern African region must urgently diversify its energy mix and mobilise billions in investment after climate shocks and infrastructure constraints exposed deep structural weaknesses in its power systems, the Executive Secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), Mr Elias Magosi, has warned.

Speaking at the recent 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Indaba, which ended in Victoria Falls on Friday, Mr Magosi said successive droughts that crippled hydro-power production had exposed the fragility of the region’s electricity supply.

“The climate-related droughts of 2024-2025, which lowered river levels and reduced hydro-power output, exposed our region’s vulnerability. As we cannot predict the frequency or impact of such events, diversifying our energy mix is imperative,” he said.

The warning comes as Southern Africa continues to experience rolling blackouts, constrained transmission infrastructure and rising demand linked to its industrialisation ambitions.

Mr Magosi revealed that coal-fired power stations remain the backbone of the regional electricity system, accounting for 59 percent of total generation, largely from Botswana, South Africa and Zimbabwe. Hydro-power contributes 24 percent.

However, he noted gradual progress in the shift toward lower-carbon energy sources.

“Encouragingly, the share of lower-carbon sources, including solar, wind and natural gas, has increased significantly from three percent to 12 percent over the past decade,” he said.

Despite this growth, coal’s dominance continues to pose environmental and energy-security risks, particularly as climate change increasingly disrupts hydro-dependent power systems.

The region’s total installed generation capacity now stands at 83 055 megawatts, including 1 548MW from island member states such as Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius and Seychelles. Yet shortages persist.

“Our region continues to face power shortages due to inadequate infrastructure such as limited transmission capacity and the intensifying effects of climate change,” Mr Magosi said.

A major hurdle remains financing. According to the Sadc Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan (RIDMP) Short Term Action Plan (2023-2027), the region faces an energy financing gap of about US$18 billion.

“We call on Member States and partners to support priority projects . . . which identifies an energy financing gap of US$18 billion,” said Mr Magosi.

He urged the operationalisation of the SADC Regional Development Fund to mobilise resources for strategic cross-border projects, noting that power infrastructure — from generation plants and transmission lines to mini-grids and interconnectors — requires substantial long-term capital.

Mr Magosi also highlighted progress on regional interconnection projects aimed at strengthening power trade under the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP).

“The Malawi-Mozambique inter-connector is nearing completion and is tentatively scheduled for commissioning by June 2026,” he announced.

Meanwhile, the Tanzania-Zambia inter-connector has secured World Bank financing on the Zambian side and is expected to be completed by 2028.

“These projects will connect two of the remaining three mainland Member States to the SAPP grid, easing congestion and strengthening regional electricity trade,” he said.

Electricity access remains uneven across SADC. While Mauritius and Seychelles have achieved universal access, the regional weighted average is 56 percent.

Mr Magosi reported notable policy progress, with 11 of SADC’s 16 member states having completed National Energy Compacts, up from four in January 2025.

“This milestone demonstrates strong political commitment to advancing energy access, security, and sustainability across the Region,” he said.

He added that these policy advances must be accompanied by investments in generation, transmission, mini-grids and cross border electrification, citing projects between Zambia and Malawi, Botswana and Zambia, and Lesotho and South Africa.

Mr Magosi stressed the need for off grid systems tailored to rural communities, alongside smart grids and rooftop solar for urban settings.

In a notable sign of technological openness, he said SADC must consider a broad energy portfolio, including cleaner coal technologies, gas to power solutions, nuclear energy and emerging technologies such as green hydrogen and virtual power plants.

He also underscored the importance of cost reflective tariffs and effective net metering policies to attract private investment.

At the same time, Mr Magosi identified energy efficiency as an affordable and immediate solution.
Beyond the technical interventions, the SADC chief framed energy security as central to the region’s economic transformation.

“Energy is not just about kilowatt-hours . . . At its core, energy is about people — families, communities, businesses, and the survival of nations. The 2026 SADC Sustainable Energy Week provides a platform for dialogue that must translate into tangible results,” he said.

Stakeholders agree that with climate volatility intensifying and electricity demand rising, Southern Africa’s energy transition is no longer optional — it is urgent.