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biodiversity management. “Where a powerline may present material risks, funders want assurance that these are systematically identified and mitigated,” he says. “That is why environmental and social impact assessments are so important – and must actively inform the design and construction phases.” Kilian says the harnessing of renewable energy resources is a significant driver of sustainable, diversified and inclusive growth in Africa – as energy constraints have for many years been a serious brake on the continent’s potential. “The potential for sharing energy through the SAPP has been boosted in recent years by the development of renewable energy generation technologies,” he says. “While a more stable power supply in any country will unlock foreign and local investment to build the economy and create jobs, the availability of cross- border powerlines creates the potential to export electricity for those countries that can generate more than they currently need.” He adds that such powerline developments will also improve Southern Africa’s resilience in the face of climate change, which is likely to impact the region significantly in coming years. Changing rainfall patterns, for example, are expected to increase the likelihood of drought in certain areas – which would reduce dam levels and undermine the reliability of hydropower schemes.
“SRK Consulting (South Africa) assisted the SAPP almost ten years ago to develop an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) – to facilitate the screening and assessment of priority power projects in line with lenders’ safeguard requirements,” said Kilian. “This has helped to progress their implementation across the sub-continent.” He cites projects such as the Mozambique–Malawi Interconnector which has reached financial close and where construction has begun, and both the Zambia–Tanzania Interconnector and the Angola–Namibia Interconnector which have completed feasibility studies and environmental assessments. Eleven other regional energy projects have also seen progress, with 18 preparatory studies completed on these schemes. Progress in Angola In-country projects currently being planned in Angola include the Gove-Chipindo-Cuvango-Jamba Transmission Line Project, for which SRK Consulting (South Africa) completed the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA). Powered by the Gove hydroelectric power plant, the project involves the development of a new 220 kV high-voltage overhead transmission line, about 170 km in length, traversing the municipalities of Jamba, Cuvango and Chipindo. The project aims to strengthen the electrical transmission network and improve energy reliability across the Huila and Huambo Provinces. Kavandren Moodley, principal environmental scientist at SRK Consulting (South Africa), led the ESIA and notes that such studies are critical for ensuring compliance with national and international standards, especially for lender-funded infrastructure projects. “We conducted the ESIA in the context of the relevant Angolan laws and regulations, as well as international standards to which lenders required the project to be benchmarked,” says Moodley. “These included the International Financial Corporation’s Performance Standards, the Equator Principles, the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights, and the International Labour Organisation’s work-related standards.” Upfront risk assessment Moodley adds that infrastructure projects of this scale typically involve substantial investment, making it essential to identify any potential environmental or social ‘fatal flaws’ as early as possible. “Early detection of these risks gives developers suicient time to review and adjust project plans, before significant resources are committed to detailed engineering,” he explains. An ESIA can highlight risks such as community displacement or biodiversity sensitivity, providing valuable input for strategic decisions on project layout and transmission line routing. “Involving environmental and social practitioners at concept or pre-feasibility stage helps to avoid situations where the legally required ESIAs only reveal issues late in the process,” he says. “Where redesigns are required at an advanced stage, this o¦en delays projects and incurs considerable unplanned expenditure.” Moodley emphasises that lenders are increasingly attentive to risks relating to indigenous peoples, community vulnerability and
Increasing renewable energy generation across Africa is boosting potential for regional interconnections and shared power supply.
For more information visit www.srk.co.za
32 Electricity + Control FEBRUARY 2026
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