By Watipaso Mzungu
Malawi has joined the rest of other countries in Southern Africa in attending the Regional Electricity Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA) annual conference in Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.
The conference seeks to provide a forum for regulators, industry leaders, development partners, policy makers, power utilities, energy firms, investors, financiers, academics, cooperating and development partners, and other relevant stakeholders in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region and other parts of the world.
The forum aims at networking and exchanging information/experiences on pertinent energy sector; and to discuss the topical regional issues affecting the industry.
It conference comes at a time when issues of investment, competitiveness, trade and globalization in the face of other economic, financial and energy challenges are posing a threat to the well-being of humankind, standards of living and sustainable development.
Malawi is chairing the conference, which has been organized under the theme: “Creating a Conducive Environment to Enhance Regional Energy Security, Trade and Investment”, by virtue of its capacity as the incumbent RERA chairpersonship.
Delegates are expected to discuss the topical regional issues revolving around regional Energy Supply Situation; exploiting and Integrating Renewable Energy and increasing Regional Energy Trade.
Other issues to be tackled at the gathering include Energy Prices/Tariffs: Review Process, Cost Reflectivity, Affordability and Consumer Issues; and Enablers for the Development of the Energy Supply Industry.
Incumbent RERA chairperson, Dr. Collins Magalasi, who is also the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) Chief Executive officer, said energy regulators remain committed to working with stakeholders and cooperating partners in addressing the various challenges that are stifling the development and competitiveness of the energy sector in our respective countries and the region in general.
“We also reaffirm our commitment, as an Association, to the mission of facilitating the harmonisation of regulatory policies, legislation, standards and practices and to be a platform for effective cooperation among energy regulators within the SADC region. RERA really values your political leadership and looks forward to your continued support as well as guidance in its regional energy regulatory endeavours,” said Magalasi.
The MERA chief stated that the theme of the conference was specifically chosen as it is linked to that of the recent (39th) Ordinary Summit of the Heads of State and Government of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) held at Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre in Dar es Salaam, United Republic of Tanzania, on 17 and 18 August 2019 and also endeavours to respond to one of the biggest challenges in the region – energy security – that entails energy supply being adequate, reliable and affordable.
“Preceding this conference, RERA had four (4) Side Events on 18 February 2020 focusing on Regional Transmission Development Embedding and Sustaining the Regional Electricity Supply Industry Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for RERA –A USAID Southern Africa Energy Project (SAEP) supported initiative; Highlights from the Electricity Regulatory Index (ERI) 2019 – the 1African Development Bank (AfDB) supported initiative; Official Launch of the RERA e-Learning Training Module onRegulatory Governance and SADC Energy Sector Gender Mainstreaming – USAID Southern Africa Energy Project (SAEP) supported initiatives; and Development of a Framework and Roadmap for the establishment of a Regional Energy Regulatory Authority for SADC – An EU supported initiative,” he narrated.
Magalasi thanked the Government of the Republic of Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Energy and Power Development, for the support towards the hosting of the RERA events in Victoria Falls.
He also hailed the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) for being one of the most active and dependable members of RERA and continues to render valuable support to the Association.
“Despite the short notice given to ZERA to host our events, the organizational arrangements and the facilities at our disposal are superb and bear a clear testimony of an excellent host. I can attest for many delegates that the hospitality extended to us has equally been marvelous. I would also like to express special thanks to the sponsors, without which it would have been extremely difficult to succeed in organizing the memorable events in Victoria Falls. RERA is also very grateful to the organisations that accepted our invitation to participate in the mini-exhibition.
“Let me take this opportunity to extend RERA’s sincere appreciation to all our cooperating partners for their generous support towards the regional programmes and activities of the Association. Special thanks to the USAID Southern Africa Energy Program (SAEP) for the valuable support and collaborative efforts in planning, resourcing and organizing the RERA events.
“We cherish the support and look forward to the continuation of the collaborative endeavours. To the speakers and delegates, we thank you for your participation and look forward to stimulating deliberations during the Conference and enhanced networks beyond our events,” he said.
