Issued by: SA Communication Service
Minute Discussion Between H.E. Eng. M. Maher Abaza, Minister of Electricity and Energy of the Arab Republic of Egypt and H.E. Mr. R.F. Botha, Minister of Mineral and Energy Affairs of the Republic of South Africa
Upon the invitation by Minister Abaza, Minister Botha and his delegation paid an official visit to the Arab Republic of Egypt from 4 to 8 November 1995.
During the course of the visit, and within the framework of the Agreement Between the Government of the Republic of South Africa and the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt for the Establishment of a Joint Commission of Cooperation signed in Cairo on 29 March 1995, and the Memorandum of Understanding on Energy Cooperation signed in Pretoria on 6 December 1994, the two Ministers held a meeting during which they exchanged ideas and explored the possible means to enhance bilateral cooperation ilds.
Minister Abaza briefed Minister Botha on the steps taken by the Egyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy towards the pan-African electricity interconnection and indicated that the prefeasibility study for the interconnection of Zaire/Egypt was completed during April 1995. The results were discussed by an International Technical Advisory Panel in Cairo during June 1995 which recommended that the study could be advanced to a feasibility stage. The steering committee of the project met in Cairo on 23 and 24 October 1995 to endorse the prefeasibility study, and agreed to start the second phase.
Minister Abaza welcomed the Establishment of the Southern Africa Power Utility Research Network, whose objectives are to share generic research information and pool available research information among African utilities. He indicated his willingness to present the concept at the forthcoming meeting between the energy ministers of the North Africa the electrical interconnection projects. The occasion can be used to introduce the idea for the establishment of a similar network for Northern Africa. The two Ministers agreed to study, in consultation with their respective regional partners, the idea of interconnecting both networks to serve the whole continent.
The two Ministers took note with appreciation of the exchange of technologies, information and publications and the attendance of high level delegations of experts in South Africa during recent months, namely:
- The World Energy Council Regional Energy Forum for Southern and East African Countries held in Cape Town during October 1994. - A technical paper titled Project of Electrical Interconnection between Egypt and Zaire, and the Prospects of Future Interconnection between Africa/Europe was presented by the Egyptian experts. - The Sixth Technical Working Group of AFRA sponsored by the International Agency for Nuclear Energy in Johannesburg during April 1995. - The Regional workshop on Dosimetry Techniques for Process Control in Food & Radiation sponsored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Pretoria during August 1995. - The 14th Conference on Cyclotrons and their Applications in Cape Town during October 1995. - The 59th International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) general meeting held in Durban during October 1995, to promote the international specifications concerned with electricity.
Invitations were sent to the members of the International Conference for High Voltage Electric Systems (CIGRE) in South Africa to share in the "First Regional Meeting of CIGRE for Arab Countries" which was held in Cairo during January 1995, and the proceedings were sent to the President of the South African Committee of CIGRE.
Egypt has offered to host a Regional Meeting of CIGRE for the continent of Africa to be held in 1997.
Both Ministers agreed that exchanges would continue and that high level delegations of technical experts from the Republic of South Africa would soon visit the Arab Republic of Egypt. The process of expertise exchange is important for the prosperity of both countries.
Minister Botha then briefed Minister Abaza on the current South African energy scene. He described the current initiative of a comprehensive Energy Policy Process leading to a White Paper in early 1996. He reported good progress with the electrification programme under the Reconstruction and Development Programme, the objective of which is to install 500 000 domestic connections per year until the year 2 000 by which time 2,5 million connections should be achieved. Minister Botha also described the rural solar-powered electrification programme to provide electricity to 16 000 schools, 2 000 clinics and an additional 2,5 million homes within the next 20 years. The Minister also described the Biomass Initiative to reduce the current dependence of about 25% of South rticularly firewood.
Med on current developments by adding that his Department is undergoing a restructuring to facilitate the implementation of the new policy directives. Opportunities for further international cooperation may emerge as the Department's resources and portfolio develop.
Minister Botha went on to describe the activities of the National Electricity Regulator through which the electricity industry is being restructured and re-regulated. This process is being undertaken to rationalise the electricity sector so that it becomes more efficient, and to facilitate the current electrification programme. In this way it is planned that all South African residents and industries may have access to affordable electricity.
Minister Botha then announced that a major step had been taken towards the formation of a southern African electricity grid by the signing of the "Southern African Power Pool" agreement.
Both Ministers concurred that for the mutual benefit of both countries, it was important that the cooperation envisaged in the Memorandum of Understanding signed in Pretoria on 6 December 1994 should be pursued and augmented. To this end, both Ministers agreed to advance electricity and energy cooperation in the following three projects :
1) Pan African Electricity Cooperation
The Ministers agreed to study, in consultation with their respective regional partners, the possibility of moving towards a Pan-African Electricity Grid. The Ministers agreed that they would advise each other of the outcomes of such consultation.
2) New and Renewable Energy
Topics of mutual interest include : photo-voltaic electrification, solar water heating, wind power, solar-thermal electricity generation (supplemented by combined cycle gas turbine), biomass, and biogas.
Officials Responsible for coordination.
Arab Republic of Egypt: Mr. M.S. Zannon, New and Renewable Energy Authority
Republic of South Africa: Dr. J.H. Opperman, Department of Mineral and energy Affairs.
3) Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency has been identified as one of the most important issues for both countries. The Arab Republic of Egypt's electrical efficiency programme is currently concentrating on generation and transmission, whereas the Republic of South Africa's programme is currently addressing energy utilisation. A Mutual exchange between these two approaches could be of mutual benefit. The furtherance of the project can take place through information and expertise exchange which could lead to workshops, visits and short term personnel exchanges.
Officials Responsible for coordination.
Arab Republic of Egypt : Dr. M.A. Swedan, Egyptian Electricity Authority
Republic of South Africa : Dr. A.D. Surridge, Department of Minieral and Energy Affairs.
Both Ministers expressed their satisfaction on the steps taken so far by both ministries to promote cooperation between the two countries in the field of electricity and energy. The Ministers also expressed the hope that as further progress is achieved, opportunities to widen the scope of cooperation would develop.
Signed at Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, on the 5th day of November 1995.
Eng. M. Maher Abaza Mr. R.F. Botha Minister of Electricity & Energy Minister of Mineral & Energy Affairs Arab Republic of Egypt Republic of South Africa