As South Africa’s energy needs rebound on the back of improved economic activity, it is evident that standby power will be needed for the foreseeable future, as the connection of enough embedded generation and renewable-energy projects to the national grid is taking place too slowly. The grid can also not cope with the additional power supply and, thus, with the last bidding round (Round 5) issued by the Independent Power Producers Office, certain projects were not allowed to proceed, particularly in areas such as the Northern Cape, where most existing solar projects are situated or planned for future development, says Economic Development Solutions (EDS) MD Janine Espin.
