- Eskom is working to meet the required 53GW of new additional energy.
- R72.2 billion is required to expand and strengthen the transmission grid over the next five years.
South African power utility, Eskom, reported that it is focusing on implementing all projects to meet the required 53GW of new additional energy for the period up to 2032, ensuring energy security. The additional capacity needed will come mainly from renewable energy sources and considers the current energy deficit between 4000 and 6000MW.
Eskom Transmission Managing Director, Segomoco Scheppers, described the next five years as “very critical” for energy supply security. He said, “If the TDP [Transmission Development Plan] 2022 requirements to deliver an adequate transmission network capacity by 2027 are to be met, a significant investment of R72.2 billion will be required to expand and strengthen the transmission grid over the next five years. Of this amount, R50.8 billion is required for new capacity expansion projects to meet the reliability requirements, connect new generation capacity and loads, and acquire servitudes. In addition, a further R21.4 billion is required to refurbish the existing asset base and procurement of production equipment.”
Accommodating this increased generation capacity means a reliable and adequate transmission system is required to integrate and dispatch this new capacity to the load centres across the country. Given the uncertainty in the longer term and noting that the Integrated Resources Plan as a policy document is currently being reviewed, Eskom is focusing strongly on the implementation of projects over the next five years.