Calling all independent power producers
28 September 2022
News
In a broadcasted evening address on Monday 25 July, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa announced widespread changes to the existing arbitrary rules and red tape that have governed the generation of electricity. The country is currently entrenched in its worst load-shedding seen since its inception in April 2008.
In a presentation to opposition parties before his address, he stated that the country needs to “open the floodgates for private investment in new generation capacity”. He went on to add that the overriding priority is to add as much new capacity as possible to the grid in the shortest time possible.
The plan is to add 7,2 GW of capacity within three months, a further 5,7 GW within 12 months and 9,8 GW in 18 months. Therefore, if all goes to plan, we will see a total of 21,7 GW of power being added to the grid within the next year and a half, which would see the current capacity almost doubled.
Some of the major points presented which could have a major impact on the country’s generation capabilities were:
• Boosting the technical skill level at Eskom by actively targeting ex-employees and skilled workers in the private sector.
•Forming a separate body to tackle the theft and sabotage that is currently taking place at Eskom.
•Allowing Eskom to purchase excess power from private producers.
•Easing local requirements to allow renewable power projects that were awarded in fifth bid window to go ahead.
•Importing more power from neighbouring countries.
The arbitrary limit of 100 MW of private generation capacity will be scrapped and IPPs will be allowed to build power plants with unlimited capacity without requiring a licence. The announcement also stated that the amount of renewable energy it procures under the sixth bid window will be doubled to 5,2 GW.
These new measures that are set to be implemented should see an unprecedented surge in the number of private power generation projects.
Further reading:
From the editor’s desk: Windows 10’s end of support arrives bringing industrial risks
Technews Publishing
News
By the time you read this column, support for non-LTSC editions of Windows 10 will have ended, officially having their last day on 14 October 2025. This means no more security patches, feature updates,
...
Read more...
Electronic News Digest
News
A brief synopsis of current global news relating to the electronic engineering fields with regards to company finances, general company news, and engineering technologies.
Read more...
Correction: Marijana Abt, Rebound Electronics
News
In the August issue of
Dataweek magazine, the article titled ‘Celebrating innovation, leadership, and the next generation’ featured Marijana Abt, senior account manager at Rebound Electronics. Owing
...
Read more...
Trasna and RF Design announce distribution agreement
RF Design
News
Trasna and RF Design have announced a strategic distribution agreement for cellular IoT solutions which will ensure seamless availability of Trasna’s cellular connectivity solutions.
Read more...
Local partnership puts demand-side management to work in South Africa
News
Sensor Networks has partnered with European demand-side management specialist ThermoVault to bring advanced load-shifting capabilities to one of the country’s biggest energy consumers: the household geyser.
Read more...
Hisense SA launches year-long learnership programme for youth
News
Hisense SA’s manufacturing plant in Atlantis recently welcomed 100 young people from the local community, to embark on a year-long learnership and skills development programme.
Read more...
Comtest hosts channel partners
Comtest
News
Comtest, together with FLUKE, recently set the stage for an unforgettable afternoon as they welcomed over 80 Channel Partners to their annual celebration of excellence.
Read more...
RS South Africa and Qhubeka empower learners through the gift of mobility
RS South Africa
News
Through its bicycle donation initiative, 354 bicycles have been distributed to date, empowering students to access education more easily by reducing the physical and economic barriers posed by long daily commutes.
Read more...
Deca and SST announce strategic collaboration
News
The collaboration provides customers with a modular, memory-centric foundation for advanced multi-die architectures.
Read more...
Specialised Exhibitions transitions to new name: Montgomery Group Africa
News
As part of a strategic move to streamline operations, strengthen regional alignment, and support long-term growth, Specialised Exhibitions has transitioned to a new name: Montgomery Group Africa.
Read more...
printer friendly version