DURBAN, South Africa, Aug. 13 — Southern African countries have made progress in expanding power generation, laying a stronger foundation for economic growth and regional integration, a senior regional official said Wednesday.
Elias Magosi, executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), made the remarks at the opening of the Ordinary SADC Council of Ministers Meeting in South Africa’s coastal city Durban. Magosi said SADC member states added 3,253 megawatts (MW) of new installed generation capacity in the 12 mainland member states and a further 1,611 MW in the island member states during the 2025/2026 financial year. “The total regional installed capacity now stands at 88,202 MW, while operational capacity has reached 54,812 MW, exceeding combined regional peak demand and reserve requirements of 52,617 MW,” he said, adding that these gains provide an important foundation for overcoming longstanding energy constraints. Regional electricity access increased from 56 percent in 2024 to 60 percent in 2025, but remains well below the SADC target of 85 percent by 2030, he added. “To close this gap, we must continue accelerating grid expansion, strengthening cross-border interconnections and scaling up off-grid and renewable energy solutions that will leave no community behind,” Magosi said. Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s minister of international relations and cooperation, said the country would champion the expansion and modernization of the infrastructure that connects the region during its tenure as SADC chair.”Reliable energy, efficient transport corridors, modern ports, integrated digital networks and dependable water systems are indispensable to regional connectivity, industrialization and the movement of goods and services across our region,” Lamola said.
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