The Transmission and Distribution (T&D) of energy are the critical links connecting power generation facilities to electricity users. In sub-Saharan Africa, the quality and capacity of T&D infrastructure impact significantly on economic development and quality of life. Although progress has been made in expanding electrical grids, the region's infrastructure remains inadequate to meet growing demand or to achieve universal access.
Transmission and distribution are critical links in electricity delivery across sub-Saharan Africa.
Lee Mbenge, Divisional Chief Executive Officer at ACTOM, sees improving T&D infrastructure as central to the region's economic development and to the wellbeing of the population. He says only by overcoming existing challenges and investing in modern, efficient systems, can the region unlock its full potential and achieve sustainable growth.
T&D in economic development and quality of life
Stable energy delivery is essential to supporting industrial and commercial activities, encouraging investment, and fostering innovation. For households, access to dependable electricity enhances living standards at home as well as in powering services such as healthcare, education, and communication. Communities with reliable power have shown better health, increased education opportunities and enhanced economic prospects.
The major challenges
However, sub-Saharan Africa faces significant challenges in the T&D sector, Mbenge says. Key issues include ageing infrastructure and a lack of preventive maintenance, which leads to frequent breakdowns and increased maintenance costs, along with high transmission losses that exacerbate the supply-demand imbalance. Frequent power outages, planned or unplanned, disrupt daily life and business operations. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated efforts between governments, private sector stakeholders, and international organisations to mobilise resources, implement technological advances, and establish robust regulatory frameworks.
One of the most pressing challenges facing T&D infrastructure is the ageing and deteriorating state of existing equipment. Many transmission and distribution lines are outdated and in need of replacement or refurbishment. This leads to frequent breakdowns, power losses, and increased maintenance costs. Mbenge says, to address this issue, governments and utilities need to prioritise investments in infrastructure upgrades and modernisation, and at the same time, maintain existing infrastructure. This means replacing old equipment with more efficient and reliable technologies, such as smart grids and advanced metering, as well as monitoring and control infrastructure.
Another significant challenge is high transmission losses. Energy is lost during transmission due to factors such as resistance in conductors and leakage currents. These losses reduce the amount of electricity available for delivery to consumers and increase the cost of energy. To mitigate transmission losses, utilities can implement measures such as improving conductor materials, reducing line lengths, and optimising network configurations. Additionally, investing in energy efficiency programmes can help reduce overall energy consumption and alleviate the strain on the generation system. Optimising the cost of ownership by using the most efficient equipment with lowest possible losses can have a significant impact on the overall demand requirement.
Regarding the challenge of frequent power outages and the need to improve power reliability, Mbenge says utilities need to focus on enhancing grid resilience, investing in backup generation capacity, and implementing load management strategies. Additionally, addressing issues such as theft and vandalism of T&D infrastructure can help reduce the frequency and duration of outages.
Embracing new technologies
Advances in technology offer promising solutions to the challenges facing sub-Saharan Africa's T&D sector. Smart grids, which integrate digital technologies with traditional power grids, can improve efficiency, reliability, and grid management. By enabling real-time monitoring and control, smart grids can help identify and address issues promptly, reducing power outages and improving system performance.Renewable energy technologies, such as solar and wind power, must also play a role in enhancing energy security and reducing reliance on fossil fuels. Integrating renewable energy sources into the T&D system requires careful planning and investment in grid infrastructure to ensure grid stability and accommodate variable power generation.
Improving the T&D infrastructure in sub-Saharan Africa is essential to unlocking the region's economic potential and improving the quality of life for its people. By addressing the challenges of ageing infrastructure, high transmission losses, and frequent power outages, governments, utilities, and private sector stakeholders can create a more reliable and efficient energy delivery system. Investing in modern technologies and implementing innovative solutions will enable sub-Saharan Africa to harness the power of energy to drive sustainable development and prosperity, Mbenge says.
For more information visit: www.actom.co.za