SADC: A Potential Renewable Energy Gold Mine
The SADC Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency report 2015 of the South African International Renewable Energy Conference (SAIREC) has established that there is a huge untapped renewable energy potential in the SADC region. The report presented an overview of the status of renewable energy and energy efficiency markets, industry, policy and regulatory frameworks and investment activities in the region.
The use of renewable sources has increased and it now accounts approximately 23.5% of power generation. The increase was driven by electricity supply shortages and the changing economics of wind and solar power energy. The renewable energy is considered to play a large role because all the SADC countries have potential to become a net exporter of power. Therefore, the SADC Director of Infrastructure and Services stated that a SADC Centre of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) would be formed and based in Namibia.