MBABANE – The Eswatini Electricity Company (EEC) is hosting various stakeholders in a two-day Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) Market Trading Platform (MTP) roadshow to promote intra-regional energy trading, according an official statement from the company.
The statement goes on to say that:
“The roadshow, held at Emafini Country Lodge, features SAPP stakeholders including, but not limited to policymakers, government departments, regulatory authorities, independent power producers, independent transmission companies, large power users and power utilities.
EEC Managing Director Ernest Mkhonta opened the discussion on the energy trading this morning and stated that the local utility was also an active member of the SAPP that is interconnected via the Motraco 400kV line that runs from South Africa to Mozambique through Eswatini. This is supplemented by another 132kV line that runs from South Africa to Eswatini (Normandie to Mahamba). Both lines ensure connectivity to the SAPP grid.
“By the end of the roadshow, all participants would have gained the understanding of the role of the SAPP Trading Platforms in improving the economy of Eswatini,” Mkhonta said.
Executive Director, Coordination Centre, Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) Steve Dihwa explained that their objective was to ensure that they attract new market participants for the benefit of the region.
Among the objectives of the roadshows are:
• To introduce and showcase the SAPP regional market developments and operations to each of the SADC countries’ energy players and policymakers.
• To demonstrate how each of the SADC countries would benefit by participating in the Regional SAPP market through efficient use of available resources including renewable energy, hydropower generation management, etc.
• To update on status of regional infrastructure development projects
• To provide a clear understanding of how each of the country’s energy players can support and benefit from the SAPP regional market”
