The chief executive of South Africa's National Energy Development Institute (Thanedi) has given clarity to the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy on how the 14,000km of transmission lines needed to expand the grid by 2032 will be procured. requested that it be done. (Wald Sweegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
TThe CEO of South Africa's National Institute for Energy Development (Thanedi) has told the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy that the 10,000 yen needed to expand the grid by 2032, given that it took nine times to build Eskom. They requested clarification on how the 4,000km of transmission lines will be procured. It will take several years to install just 4,300km.
The transmission line extension is part of Eskom's restructuring plan to increase energy supply and reduce load shedding by connecting more renewable energy from independent producers to the national grid.
Last year, Cabinet gave the green light to Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe's long-awaited Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). It serves as a long-term blueprint for the country's electricity infrastructure, detailing expected electricity demand and means of supply. And how much will it cost?
However, in a preliminary opinion on the draft, Sanedi chief executive Titus Mate said: “The document highlights the need for over 14,000 kilometers of new transmission lines by 2032. “Needs to be done'' year. I mean, how will Eskom build 14,000 km in eight years?'' he said.
Marte said the 2023 draft IRP, which replaces the 2019 version, should show how the line would be expanded before the public consultation period ends “so that the public can participate in the plan.”
The IRP plan was updated after a 2019 document that proposed adding about 29,000 megawatts of additional generation capacity by 2030, including 20,000 megawatts from solar and wind, was criticized as outdated.
As part of the transition to cleaner energy sources, Eskom plans to phase out all coal-fired power stations by 2035.
But Mate said details about the plant closure remained unclear, adding that the document did not mention plans to ensure Eskom complied with national carbon emissions regulations.
“Security of supply and grid stability could be challenged if exemptions are not granted or if it becomes uneconomic to extend the life of some power plants,” he said. .
He said the IRP document needs to be “clear” that the Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment grants exemptions to remaining power plants operating beyond 2035 because they continue to emit carbon and other pollutants. He said there is.
Environmental groups including the Center for Environmental Rights, Groundwork and Earthlife Africa have written to Department of Mineral Resources and Energy director-general Jacob Mbele, asking for an extension to the public comment period.
The report states that without the extension and the provision of other information on which the IRP was based, “it would be impossible to analyze, understand, or comment on the proposals, outcomes, and conclusions of the draft IRP in any meaningful way.” Stated.
The group said the limited public participation process carried out by the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy “excludes a very important segment of the public from the consultation process and discourages serious engagement with stakeholders and far-flung populations.” “That would raise concerns that there is a lack of it.” – To arrive at the matters covered in the draft IRP. ”
The department has not responded yet. email and guardianis seeking comment prior to publication.
