Fundamental elements for the forward planning of the "Cape to Cairo" interconnected power system

South Africa continues to set the international benchmark for electricity prices. South Africa also provides the largest percentage of the electricity used on continental Africa. Based on this historical strength of bulk electricity production and delivery at favourable electricity prices, the plans are to even lower the prevailing electricity prices by adding more hydro based renewable energy with mid merit and peaking support from environmentally friendly gas based generation. There exists a sufficient quantity of both gas and hydro at acceptable and affordable rates. The first building block of the continental grid would be the regional interconnected power system of the regional power pools. The next building phase will involve the use of extra high voltage DC for bulk power transfer between participating regional power systems. The expected result is the sharing in the diversity in primary energy sources; all contributing to a lower end user cost of electrical energy. Customer competitiveness in global markets, lower primary energy costs, highest quality and reliability of supply and customer satisfaction are the fundamental elements to be included in the forward planning of the "Cape to Cairo" interconnected power system. Together with Africa's richness in resources, the continent has the capability to become the energy intensive valley of the world; supporting the developed world in the ongoing battle with global warming.