Eskom has revealed that approximately 53GW of new additional generation capacity, particularly from renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, will be required for the period up to 2032 to ensure energy security in the country.

This was discussed during the power utility’s Transmission Development Plan Public Forum yesterday.

Eskom says this 53GW new additional power includes the current deficit of between 4 000MW and 6 000MW.

This is a significant revision of the TDP 2021, which based its assumptions for new generation capacity on the Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 (IRP2019), which proposed around 30GW of new capacity by 2030.

To accommodate this additional capacity, and on the assumption that obstacles to the implementation of the roll-out plan are removed, the transmission infrastructure would need to be augmented by approximately 14 200km of extra-high voltage lines and 170 transformers by 2032.

With the Integrated Resources Plan currently being updated, Eskom says it is placing a strong focus on the implementation of projects over the next five years.

The analysis carried out reflects a requirement of approximately 2 890km of extra high voltage lines and 60 transformers requiring a capital investment of R72.2 billion by 2027.

This requires that some challenges beyond Eskom’s full control, such as the lead time to obtain servitudes, among other relevant authorisations, as well as the resource capacity in the country, be urgently addressed.

Eskom’s Managing Director for Transmission, Segomoco Scheppers, says the next five years are very critical for security of supply.

“If the TDP 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, connection of new generation capacity and loads, as well as to acquire servitudes. A further R21.4 billion is required to refurbish the existing asset base and procurement of production equipment.”