Development of a least cost energy supply model for the SADC region

Energy plays a pivotal role in economic growth and improving livelihoods. Although better supply of energy does not automatically guarantee an acceleration of human development, it is a prerequisite for it. It is essential for preparation and conservation of food, for sani-tation and for all productive activity. Finding effective means of providing safe, affordable and reliable energy services is therefore of critical importance to governments and organ-isations endeavouring to promote sustainable development. Energy also places excessive strain on investment capital in developing countries. It is not uncommon for an African country to spend over 30 % of its development budget on the energy sector. Limiting the need for capital expenditure in the energy sector could therefore free up resources for other pressing needs. To address these issues, this dissertation develops an energy system model for the SADC region using the TIMES framework. The model is an optimisation tool designed to find least cost energy supply strategies. It has an individual representation of each country in the region, but allows them to trade in energy. This makes it possible to evaluat