Exploring A Systems Dynamics Approach To Institutional Development and Integration in the African Power Development Sector

This paper attempts to further the development of previous recommendations made for institutional and manpower development efficiency to support the growing African energy sector. Developing and standardizing a curriculum at strategically selected technical centers and universities throughout the countries of the various regional power pools are the compelling strategic recommendation of this study. Towards this end, this paper introduces an exploratory systems dynamics approach to further develop a previously proposed All Africa integration model (2004, 2005). Concepts from systems engineering are also used to strengthen the thesis that African policy makers can effectively capture and leverage the information mass created by the planning and development of some of these Power Generation and Transmission initiatives to develop policies and standards across a spectrum of associated disciplines. Data from ongoing projects across a wide generation profile and fuel mix in the South African power pool (SAPP) and West African power pool (WAPP) are good primary candidates for modeling. Their evaluation includes manpower deficiencies; environmental issues, grid fortification and regional integration and domestic challenges brought on by increasing load demand outpacing generation. Future integration with Central African Power Pool (CAPP), East African power pool (EAPP) and interconnection initiatives in North Africa with ties to the Middle East are also discussed.