Impact of Tropical Cyclone Idai on the Southern African Electric Power Grid

Abstract

As modern-day livelihood and economies increasingly depend on continuity of electric power supply, power utilities make various investments to maximize reliability and resilience of electric power grids. These grids are vulnerable to disturbances that cause power interruption. Some disturbances are high-impact but low-probability events caused by extreme weather conditions. On 14 March 2019 tropical cyclone Idai hit the eastern coast of southern Africa, damaging physical infrastructure. This paper describes the tropical cyclone Idai, presents its impact on the electric power grid in southern Africa, and discusses lessons learnt. In summary, it was learnt that to minimize adverse impact of cyclones on the electric power grid, it is important to: (1) harden electric power infrastructure at design and planning levels, (2) implement multi-function emergency preparedness procedures at power utility level, and (3) collaborate preparedness efforts with other sectors including transport, telecommunication, meteorology, and security.