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New $1.3 bln energy fund for transmission links throughout Southern Africa

The Southern African Power Swimming Pool (SAPP) and investment advisors Environment Fund Managers on Tuesday released a new $1.3 billion target fund to develop crossborder and regional electricity infrastructure, authorities stated.

The Regional Transmission Facilities Financing Facility ( RTIFF) begins with $20 million in commitments from SAPP, and aims for a first close of $500 million in 2025.

Finance will be raised from personal and public sector financiers locally and internationally, a joint declaration said.

Despite an abundance of energy sources in Africa, an absence of connections in between nations has actually hindered integration and trade amongst SAPP's 12 members, that include regional financial heavyweight South Africa and leading copper exporter Zambia.

Access to capital is the top barrier facing developers of energy transmission facilities, Victor Mapani, chairperson of the SAPP executive committee, said.

RTIFF dismantles this by allowing the private sector to work along with public sector energies to present brand-new transmission lines at scale, he included a declaration.

The center will have a fund life of between 20 and 25 years and is anticipated to reach a final close of $1.3 billion within 2 years.

A push towards renewable energy, including wind, solar and battery storage, has highlighted the lack of high-voltage connections throughout the area where tasks, frequently in remote locations, are unable to link to nationwide grids.

South Africa's debt-ridden power energy Eskom, which needs around 350 billion rand ($ 18.41 billion) over the next years to upgrade its transmission network, is charming the economic sector for investment to get rid of the nation's worst electricity lacks on record.

The lack of investment in grid infrastructure is among the factors for ongoing blackouts in numerous parts of Southern Africa, Amit Mohan, head of personal credit at CFM stated in the statement.

(source: Reuters)