George Sanzila
LILONGWE – SADC countries should collaborate and exploit potential energy sources existing in the region in order to curtail the long-standing energy crisis that has been exacerbated by the effects of the ongoing conflict in eastern Europe.
These sentiments were shared by Namibian parliamentarian Agnes Kafula at a symposium of the 51st SADC-PF Plenary Assembly that is taking place in Lilongwe, Malawi.
The plenary that started on Monday is held under the theme ‘Towards energy efficiency, sustainability and self sufficiency in the SADC region’.
Kafula noted that averting the current energy crisis requires collaborative efforts from all SADC countries.
“It is important that as the SADC region, we work together to strengthen our efforts towards an energy self-sufficient region. The conflict in eastern Europe which has pushed energy prices and increased the cost of living should serve as a lesson for all of us and should encourage us to find alternative means of creating our own energy sources,” implored Kafula.
Earlier, the president of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, who officially opened the event, lamented SADC’s inaction in exploiting alternative means of energy sources, adding that the current energy crisis threatens democracy.
“The Maseru 1996 SADC protocol on energy recognises the importance of energy in pursuit of the SADC vision of economic wellbeing and poverty eradication. Our decades of slumber have brought a rude awakening from the Russia-Ukraine conflict that has exposed our vulnerability and insecurity in the area of energy. It is my belief that this plenary will come up with resolutions that will help us to resolve the energy challenges in the SADC region,” said Chakwera.
According to Kafula, Namibia still faces energy deficiency, particularly in rural areas despite having made progress.
“Citizens still face many challenges as only over 50% of citizens have access to power. Many other sources of energy particularly renewable sources could be explored to curtail the shortage and promote energy security and efficiency. These sources include solar, wind and biomass generation,” she noted.
Namibia imports over 50% of its electricity from neighbouring countries, mainly South Africa.
Kafula further said the country has embarked on an ambitious project meant to alleviate the energy crisis.
She added that this will also help the country fulfil its aspirations of adopting renewable sources of energy and de-carbonise.
“Namibia has gone a step further by introducing a $12 billion green hydrogen project. This project, which will be implemented in phases and is set to start in 2026, is intended to transform the country into a major renewable energy player by producing 300 000 metric tons of green hydrogen,” Kafula told delegates.
She, however, noted that even though the recent discoveries of oil and natural gas off the Namibian coast including the ongoing oil and gas exploration activities present a paradox in Namibia’s quest to embrace clean energy, Namibia’s energy policy accommodates an energy mix as the country gravitates towards renewable energy sources.
Other MPs who are part of the delegation concurred with Kafula, noting that the SADC region was endowed with alternative energy sources that could be explored to give access to every citizen.
“It is incumbent upon us as leaders and it’s time that Africa steps up to ensure that our resources are optimally used. Namibia with our newly found commercial oil and the mooted green hydrogen project, we stand to benefit quite a lot from these discussions,” PDM MP Vipuakuje Muharukua added.
Swapo MP Phillipus Katamelo was also happy with the theme of the gathering, saying it was well thought of.
“It is important that before we talk of sustainability, we set a target to electrify the entire populace and developing alternative energy sources,” advised Katamelo who is also part of the delegation.
Kafula is leading a delegation of Namibian parliamentarians attending the plenary that also includes MPs Paula Kooper and Utaara Mootu.
The SADC-PF was established in 1997, in accordance with Article 9 (2) of the SADC Treaty as an autonomous institution of SADC. It is a regional inter-parliamentary body composed of fifteen parliaments representing over 3 500 parliamentarians in the SADC region.