Energy
Hydro power to remain crucial in Africa’s energy mix – Experts
November 22, 2019 / Charles Pensulo
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Liabunya (R) Receiving an African Hydro symposium flag as a host
It could be solar or coal. But water as a source of power must not be ignored. At least that is what might take for the African region to achieve energy efficiency, according to experts at a recent African Hydro Symposium which took place in Blantyre, the 29th of its kind in the region.
Scores of delegates from well over 14 countries gathered in the Warm Heart of Africa to share the future of power generation in the region.
The timing and the hosting nation could not be more convenient. Malawi has one of the lowest electrification rates in the region. Statistics indicate that only about 11% of the people in the country with a population of over 17-million are connected to the country’s main grid.
And the effects of the current climatic conditions on the generation of power in the region should not be ignored, according to the experts who took part in the three-day conference.
“In Southern Africa where rainfall patterns have changed, we need to call for innovation from partners on sustainable ways of generating power. We need turbines that use less water,” said William Liabunya, CEO for Electricity Generation Company of Malawi (Egenco).
Liabunya cited Malawi and Zimbabwe which are facing electricity challenges mostly due to decreased water levels in Lakes and rivers as the major victims of the effects of climate change on power generation.
But climate change is only one of the challenges affecting power generation in the region. Lack of adequate investment by private companies is another contributor to inadequate power generation.
Why companies?
EGENCO, the first parastatal to play the role of a power generator in the country has been in operation for just only two years. One of its maiden projects has been to increase the energy capacity of Nkula A. So far, the rehabilitation of the power plant has seen a boast of 10 megawatts. Other projects are in the offing.
During the conference, Secretary for Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Patrick Matanda highlighted EGENCO’s 15-year strategic plan aimed at improving power access in the country.
Matanda said there is need to increase power supply in the country as this will ultimately increase economic opportunities.
“Clinics will open, students will study well in the villages, businesses will be kept open and this will ultimately attract investors,” he said.
Liabunya said private companies need to join the bandwagon through investment in power generation as Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to supply the national grid, and supplement power generated by EGENCO in order for Malawi to overcome the energy deficit.
The conference attracted four European countries including United Kingdom, Croatia, German and Austria.
African countries represented included Namibia, Kenya, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, Cameroon and Kenya.
“When you look at our young history, it gives us pride to host this symposium,” said Liabunya, “Maybe out of the 14 countries in the region [present] we have the lowest reach and it is our responsibility to make the changes.”
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Rehabilitation:
The establishment of a stable and self-sustaining ecosystem, but not necessarily the one that existed before mining began. In many cases, complete restoration may be impossible, but successful remediation, reclamation, and rehabilitation can result in the timely establishment of a functional ecosystem.
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Remediation:
The cleanup of the contaminated area to safe levels by removing or isolating contaminants. At mine sites, remediation often consists of isolating contaminated material in pre-existing tailings storage facilities, capping tailings and waste rock stockpiles with clean topsoil, and collecting and treating any contaminated mine water if necessary.
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