Identified as the weakest link that could constrain the country’s energy supply, Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has highlighted electricity transmission infrastructure while Eskom continues to make strides in improving grid capacity.
Concentrated in the inland provinces of Gauteng, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga, Eskom’s transmission infrastructure is at the forefront of the government’s energy action plan to restore the supply of electricity and end load shedding, according to Ramokgopa, who spoke at a media briefing yesterday.
Ramokgopa emphasized that transmission infrastructure is the remaining vulnerable area that undermines the ability to bring on board additional capacity and poses challenges for bringing renewable energy.
He stated that any risk of a grid collapse is not due to generation failure but transmission failure. With generation stabilizing, efforts must continue to strengthen and expand the national transmission infrastructure.
Despite fears of electricity constraints this winter, Eskom’s electricity capacity improved to 29,092MW in the five-day average during the last week of June, reflecting an improvement of 1,300MW. This improvement, coupled with demand-side management measures, resulted in demand dipping below the winter base case scenario.
Ramokgopa highlighted that the gap between electricity demand and generation capacity is narrowing, giving hope that the country will soon be free from the challenge of load shedding.
He also mentioned that although unplanned breakdowns fell below 14,000MW, partial load losses remained elevated at 7,224MW by the end of June. Particular attention is being given to address the various fault types that contribute to partial load losses, with boiler tube leaks identified as the main driver.
On the subject of transitioning from high to low carbon emissions, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe emphasized that South Africa aims for a just transition that considers the socio-economic conditions of affected communities. The country advocates for a balance between fulfilling socio-economic needs and preserving the environment.
Mantashe clarified that the transition should not be from coal to renewables but rather a comprehensive shift toward low carbon emissions. He emphasized the importance of a people-centered approach and urged against being influenced by developed nations that prioritize their own environmental interests over the developmental needs of South Africa.
South Africa is committed to a manageable pace of transitioning and has increased the procurement of energy from renewable sources in alignment with the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019). The country currently has approximately 6,000MW of energy generation capacity from renewable sources, with further expansions planned.
