GET.transform’s Policy Catalyst Distributed Generation (DG) Window brought together utility and regulator representatives from Uganda, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique for a two-day technical workshop.
The Policy Catalyst DG Window is a capacity building initiative implemented by GET.transform and Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) in partnership with the African Forum for Utility Regulators (AFUR) and the Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA).
Following a detailed presentation on Distributed Generation (DG) in Africa, the workshop delved into various regulatory, technical, and tariff-related topics. Participants engaged in fruitful discussions and brief presentations, exchanging insights on existing legal frameworks, their efficacy and shortcomings.
Day two of the workshop saw participants dive deeper into specific dimensions that the Policy Catalyst DG Window can support, aiming to identify and map out priorities for their respective countries. A case study from South Africa and external presentations from CrossBoundary Energy added private sector perspectives on developing DG projects in Africa. The training concluded with a site visit to a rooftop solar installation at a nearby commercial building which brought further practical insights to the discussions.
Looking ahead, the next training under the Policy Catalyst DG Window is slated for the end of May in Johannesburg and will hone in on technical aspects of DG system components, best practices in regulation, and critical legal considerations. This collaborative effort underscores a concerted push towards fostering sustainable energy practices and addressing the continent’s evolving energy needs.
