- Eskom gets R9bn loan for South Africa’s transition towards clean energy.
- South Africa’s first station to be repurposed into a renewable energy site.
Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana, stated that the R9 billion concessional loan approved for repurposing the Komati Power Station is a significant step for South Africa’s transition towards clean energy.
The coal-fired power station was shut down last week after serving the South African public for at least 60 years, and it is set to become South Africa’s first station to be repurposed into a renewable energy site.
Makwana said, “This is a significant development for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition to renewable energy as it brings the much-needed funding to enable Eskom to train its employees and members of the host communities to empower them to continue playing a central role in the provision of clean energy for the country.”
The loan facility will cover three main components: decommissioning of the Komati Power Station, repurposing and repowering of the station and other elements of the Just Energy Transition, including provision for the training of Eskom employees, community development and stakeholder initiatives.
The first phase of the repurposing will install 150MW of photovoltaic, 70MW wind generating capacity, 150MW of Battery Energy Storage System and synchronous condenser.