Generating enough power is a
massive challenge facing Africa
as the world turns to the continent
as the next big investment and
growth destination.
According to Paul Runge,
managing director of Africa Project
Access, while power plants are
being built from the north to the
south, east to west power remains
a big issue.
“The lack of power inhibits
everyone and
nearly all the
countries have
challenges
when it comes
to generating
enough power
to service their
people and industry – including
South Africa,” said Runge. “And it
is not because there is a shortage
of power projects. Power plants
are going up but these are not
sufficient to meet the need. And
more importantly many power
projects hit snags long before they
reach fruition.”
He said more often than not offtake
agreements
were not in place, which resulted in
projects inevitably being halted.
“Until you have buyers with
product secured no soil will be
turned on any projects – including
the building of power plants,”
he said.
In the meantime, Runge
added, the
lack of power
remained the
biggest hurdle
for African
economic
growth and
investment.
“There really is not a country on
the continent that does not have a
power problem of some sort. The
power crisis is very real.”
According to a survey conducted
by the World Bank Enterprise,
power is interrupted on average
for at least 56 days a year on the
continent.
INSERT
56 The average number of days a year that
power is interrupted on the continent.
