African Electricity Infrastructure Interconnections and Electricity Exchanges

This paper discusses African electrical energy resources: feasibility studies, interconnection of power systems, the present state of the electric power sector, future expansion of African power systems, and implementation of an African power grid: network, It examines involvement of the World Bank with African electricity infrastructure, Grand Inga interconnection projects, the Great Lakes project, and prospects for evaluation of a unified power system in Africa. It is based on presentations which were made on African Electricity Infrastructure, Interconnections, and Electricity Exchanges at an IEEE PES Panel Session [1] land subsequently updated in presentations made at the CIGRE Regional Meeting for the African Continent, Cairo, Egypt [2]). First, the poorness of African countries and their limited electricity infrastructure is discussed. Objectives for electricity infrastructure development in response to perceived needs is examined and the development challenge for the future, with ways of meeting that challenge defined, Grand Inga interconnections projects are then reviewed. The Democratic Republic of Congo's potential is equivalent to 88 400 MW of continuous energy; 42 000 MW is located in the Inga region. Development of the Great Lakes interconnected network which links Burundi, Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo is also reviewed. The paper then discusses existing power systems in Africa and presents the idea of dividing the continent into five main regions of about the same surface area for electricity trade. Feasibility studies of an HVdc line from Democratic Republic of Congo to Egypt and other studies to South Africa and Europe are discussed. A scenario for energy balance for the year 2050 is presented, and export of electricity to neighboring continents, mainly Europe, in excess of 200 TWh/year by 2050 is outlined. An approach and a set of necessary strategies for implementation of an integrated African grid network is then reviewed.