Africa-Press – Botswana. Harmonised regional regulatory frameworks are important in attracting investments to the region and creating robust, efficient and effective energy markets, says Vice President Slumber Tsogwane.
Speaking at the 10th Regional Energy Regulators Association (RERA) Conference in Gaborone on Wednesday, Mr Tsogwane emphasised the need for a harmonised and integrated regional regulatory framework, especially in the supply of electricity across national borders.
“I am informed that the Southern African Power Pool is one of the most effective energy markets in the continent, which has been made possible because of these harmonised regulatory guidelines for cross-border power trading, amongst others,” he said.
Mr Tsogwane said it was in that regard that Botswana fully supported collaborative efforts of bodies such as RERA, especially in light of the impending efforts to turn it from being an association of regulators into being a singular regulatory authority of the region.
“This is a move that will strengthen the collaborative efforts that RERA has been fostering over the years,” he said.
Mr Tsogwane also indicated that reliable and uninterrupted supply of energy was vital for any economy to thrive, which he said called on governments to ensure that energy regulation was effective and sound.
He also revealed that SADC member states through their Protocol on Energy had committed to implementing the Sustainable Development Goal number seven through cooperation on energy development, harmonisation of energy policies, strategies and procedures throughout the region.
Mr Tsogwane also advised the region that in its pursuit to achieve energy sufficiency, it should also be cautious to balance on issues of climate change, especially carbon emission from natural resources such a burning coal.
He, therefore, said he was confident that the proposed authority would have a stronger structure than the current association and it would have regulatory oversight at regional level even on cross border energy related matters.
“This will fully support SADC’s initiatives such as the Gas Master Plan and the Regional Infrastructure Development Master Plan. I therefore wish to implore you to move with speed on this matter of establishing a regional regulatory body,” he said.
Mr Tsogwane also expressed his concern at the fact that the SADC region was in an energy deficit state despite it being resource rich, which he said hugely and negative impacted on the economic targets of our region.
Mr Tsogwane also lamented other regional challenges such as political instabilities in some parts, economic hardships, poverty and extreme weather phenomena, and said that it was time to turn them into opportunities than just lament about them.
He said this included making energy infrastructure to encompass a regional perspective rather than just each country focusing solely on itself.
This, he said, would also help address the challenge of limited financial resources to achieve results within a short space of time in the face of equally competing public needs that required budgetary prioritisation.
Mr Tsogwane also implored regulators to ensure thorough research and seek expert advice on how to tap into these resources in a clean and sustainable manner without exacerbating the effects of climate change.
For More News And Analysis About Botswana Follow Africa-Press
