Power utility companies and stakeholders across Africa are optimistic about a brighter and different outlook for the sector in the decade ahead, according to a new report from PwC.

According to a survey conducted by the PwC on power and utilities involving 51 senior power and utility sector executives from 15 African countries who took part in the survey, revealed that companies and sector stakeholders are optimistic about a range of key African electricity issues.

96 per cent say there is a medium or high probability that load shedding will be the exception rather than the norm by 2025. Technological change expected to transform prospects for rural electrification and business model transformation lies ahead for many power utility companies.

The survey also pointed out that 67 per cent of those interviewed cited ageing or badly maintained infrastructure as a high or very high concern.

Encouragingly, many felt the situation would improve, with only 39 per cent predicting that it would be a similarly high or very high concern in five years’ time.

Africa Power and Utility Leader, PwC, Angeli Hoekstra, declared that with the result reflecting a lot of optimism, security of electricity supply and cost reflective tariffs continue to be the number one challenge.

“There is much to be optimistic about and the results point the way to improvements ahead. But security of electricity supply and cost reflective tariffs continue to be the number one challenge. Until they are resolved, power systems will remain stretched, as investments in the power sector will be limited. Addressing cost reflective tariffs while ensuring social equity is a key challenge,” she said.