- Operating costs too high for manufacturing expansion says COMESA
- Unreliability of electricity a contributory factor to high operating costs
- Model Energy Policy Framework to help improve energy access in the region
The Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) has said, the high cost of electricity has hindered the expansion of the manufacturing industries in the region. Assistant Secretary-General Programmes, Comesa Dr Kipyego Cheluget, made this known during the 10th Annual General Meeting of the Regional Association of Energy Regulators for Eastern and Southern Africa (RAERESA).
“It is, however, encouraging to note that most countries have realised that for any meaningful economic and human transformation to be realised, universal access to energy should be at the centre augmented by a strong political will and sustainable policy and legislative framework”, Cheluget said.
To enhance energy security, accessibility, affordability and reliability in the region, COMESA has implemented the Model Energy Policy Framework which has introduced reforms in the energy sectors of regional member countries. The total installed capacity for electricity in the 21-member bloc is around 92,000MW. The COMESA bloc include countries such as Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, Swaziland, Kenya, Rwanda, Egypt, and Djibouti
The Acting Director-General, Kenya Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Mr Daniel Bargoria, has called for a resolution of the energy challenges in the region to drive economic growth. “There is a huge energy gap in the region accounted for by missing links and maintenance backlog thereby calling for narrowing of the gap if the region is to accelerate regional economic development for the benefit of the people,” Bargoria said.