Engineering News editor Terence Creamer discusses the findings of the latest South African Renewable Energy Grid Survey; how the survey results will be used; and the mixed picture that has emerged for wind and solar projects following the latest public procurement round.
State-owned electricity utility Eskom announced in July that the National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) had extended the licence for Koeberg nuclear power station Unit 1, in the Western Cape, until 2044. This extension highlights Koeberg’s vital role in providing reliable baseload power while meeting stringent international safety standards. Eskom has operated Koeberg safely for 40 years, investing significantly in safety improvements and extensive maintenance.
While South Africa is experiencing a significant period during which there is no loadshedding, more time is needed before State-owned electricity utility Eskom can confidently declare an end to loadshedding, says Eskom primary energy GM Dan Mashigo. Speaking at the 2024 Coal and Energy Transition Day, held at The Country Club, in Johannesburg, on July 23, Mashigo noted the progress made thus far, with a 7% to 8% year-on-year improvement from last year.
State-owned electricity utility Eskom is focusing on reducing coal intensity and expanding renewable energy as part of its commitment to a sustainable future. This shift in strategy prioritises maintaining plant health over simply “keeping the lights on at all costs” – a practice that has proven ineffective, according to Eskom primary energy GM Dan Mashigo.
South Africa’s energy market is undergoing various changes, including the unbundling of State-owned power utility Eskom, as well as licence exemptions for independent power producers (IPPs). The latter has eased access for new projects, but has also affected grid access and publicly procured generation, says IPP Globeleq general counsel Marlise Schmidt. “Eskom, with its historical monopoly over generation, transmission and distribution in South Africa, has faced numerous difficulties, including financial challenges, ageing infrastructure and issues related to governance.”
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni reports that the Cabinet committee set up to consider interventions to moderate fuel price increases is likely to turn its attention to electricity tariffs amid growing fears of another steep hike in 2025. Responding to questions posed during a post-Cabinet briefing, Ntshavheni said Cabinet was aware of growing anxiety over impending applications to the regulator that could, if approved, result in increases of between 36% and 44% next year.
Energy infrastructure project delivery company OptiPower, which is a trading division of engineering and contracting company Murray & Roberts (M&R), has, in a joint venture (JV) with Spanish energy and water utility Coxabengoa, been awarded a contract to build a 100 MW solar PV plant for an unnamed mining company with operations in South Africa’s North West province. The contract is valued at about R1.2-billion, with OptiPower’s share in the JV being 50%, M&R says.
The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has appointed 19 overhead-transmission line contractors to three separate supplier panels as it moves to position itself for a R32-billion build programme over the coming eight years. The companies were selected following a tender issued in May 2023, with five of the companies having been appointed to an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) panel, nine to a procurement and construction panel, and 17 to a construction panel.
Electrical equipment manufacturer WEG Africa has completed a large substation E-house solution, which includes distribution transformers and a diesel generator set, for energy and chemicals company Sasol’s Upstream production sharing agreement (PSA) project, in Mozambique. The E-house solution was procured by engineering, procurement and construction management contractor Wood, was locally designed and manufactured by WEG Africa and supplied in partnership with local engineering firm Proconics.
The latest edition of the South African Renewable Energy Grid Survey points to there being massive and growing interest from developers of solar PV, wind, battery and hybrid plants to connect to the South African grid. Published jointly by Eskom Holdings’ National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA), the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association and the South African Wind Energy Association, the survey shows there to be projects with a combined capacity of 133 GW at various stages of development across the country.
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