Member states of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) are to make huge investments in the short term to meet the energy needs of the region estimated at 2,000 megawatts.
Speaking to the press at the opening of the 31st meeting of SADC energy experts, the Director of Infrastructures and Services, Remmy Makumbe, said member states intended to bridge this gap by the end of 2013 with the implementation of ongoing programmes.
The official blamed the energy deficit on lack of resources and difficulties encountered in the implementation of agreements of SADC member states relating to the supply of energy, and stressed that he believes the hindrance will be overcome soon.
He said that the community would also focus on adequate power supply in the region, where shortages were widespread.
During the two-day meeting, the experts from SADC’s 14-member countries will discuss, among other issues, the development of the SADC strategy, implementation of the roadmap of the power sector and the priority of the energy sector for the 2010-2011 period.
The SADC ministers’ meeting is scheduled for Thursday.
