By: African mining

Africa’s clean energy transition is advancing beyond the construction of individual wind, solar, and hydro projects to focus on the critical powerlines that connect them, enabling true regional energy trade and resilience. Countries like Namibia and Angola are leveraging their renewable advantages—Namibia in wind, solar, and green hydrogen, and Angola with major hydropower projects like the 600MW Baynes plant—but realizing their potential requires extensive transmission infrastructure.

According to Darryll Kilian of SRK Consulting, this infrastructure is key for both exporting surplus power and creating a resilient regional grid that can withstand local shortages from droughts or technical failures. Progress is visible in projects like the Mozambique-Malawi Interconnector, now under construction, and the Zambia-Tanzania and Angola-Namibia Interconnectors, which have completed feasibility studies. These efforts are supported by frameworks like the Environmental and Social Management Framework developed by SRK for the Southern African Power Pool, which streamlines project implementation.

The importance of rigorous upfront planning is highlighted by projects such as Angola’s Gove-Chipindo-Cuvango-Jamba Transmission Line. Kavandren Moodley, who led its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), stresses that early identification of environmental and social risks—such as community displacement or biodiversity impact—is crucial to avoid costly delays and redesigns later. Compliance with both national laws and international lender standards, including the IFC Performance Standards, is non-negotiable for securing funding and ensuring sustainable development.

Ultimately, this expanding web of powerlines is set to unlock sustainable growth by stabilizing national grids, enabling electricity exports, and bolstering regional climate resilience. As Kilian notes, a reliable cross-border power network not only attracts investment and creates jobs but also helps mitigate the future impacts of climate change on the continent's energy systems.