Page 11 - Energize April 2021

NEWS

Eskom’s ten-year transmission development plan

skom recently published its ten-year transmission development plan (TDP), Strategic capital spares are items not available from
an extract of which follows. suppliers out of stock, for example, large power transformers
ETransmission remains one of the key components in the electricity value and circuit-breakers. These are kept as strategic stock to
chain. The transmission system’s primary role is to transport electricity in bulk allow for units that fail and cannot be repaired on site, to
from various generating sources to load centres throughout South Africa and be replaced as soon as possible, thereby minimising long-
into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. From there, duration outages to customers.
Eskom’s distribution networks, the metros and municipalities deliver electricity These types of projects are not detailed in this document,
to individual households and end users. but a summary of their costs appears in the chapter on
The projects in this transmission development plan (TDP) will result in the capital expenditure.
overall network becoming Grid Code compliant while catering for increased During the second quarter of 2015, Transmission
load growth and the integration of new generation, albeit at a later date than introduced a self-build option to both load and generation
previously envisaged, mainly due to protracted land acquisition processes and customers, in which they can elect to design, procure, construct
funding constraints. and hand over the transmission network assets required
to enable their connection to the transmission system. The
Executive summary intention is to give customers greater control over risk factors
The transmission network is the primary network of interest covered in this affecting their network connection. The self-build option has
publication. This mainly covers electrical networks with voltages ranging since been expanded to allow customers to also self-build
from 220 kV to 765 kV and the associated transmission substations. A few associated works that will be shared with other customers,
sub-transmission networks are included due to their strategic nature or when subject to approval by Eskom, based on an assessment of
Transmission owns them. associated risks to the system and other customers.
The purpose of the TDP is to assess network requirements and propose The option of Eskom constructing the customer’s network
plans to meet the load demand and generation integration forecast in the connection and the customer paying a connection charge
subsequent 10-year period. This publication contains information about remains available to the customer as before, since the self-
projects intended to extend or reinforce the transmission system that have build option is purely voluntary.
been completed in the past year as well as about projects that are planned for Eskom’s current liquidity position as well as Nersa’s
the next ten years. decisions on Eskom’s future tariff determination will impact
the execution of the TDP. In the event of capital expenditure
The TDP 2021-2030 was formulated to address the following: restrictions due to any of the above, the plan will have to be
• To attain Grid Code compliance by resolving both substation and revised to fit in with the available budget by reprioritising
line violations. projects. This will be done in a way that minimises the impact
• To determine new network infrastructure requirements to sustain on customers and the national economy due to any delays
and allow for future demand growth. arising from a shortage of funding or any delays in obtaining
• To determine new network infrastructure requirements to integrate new environmental authorisations, servitude acquisitions, and
generation (Eskom-owned as well as IPPs, conventional and renewable) other statutory approvals.
• To evacuate and dispatch power to the load centres from the power It is regrettable but unavoidable that the funding
stations connected to the grid. constraints will result in more time being taken to bring the
transmission system into compliance with the reliability
Eskom Transmission also carries out projects in respect of the refurbishment and redundancy requirements prescribed by the South
of ageing infrastructure, strategic projects, environmental authorisations African Grid Code. The effects on customers and the national
and acquisition of sites and servitudes, facilities, production equipment, and economy will be minimised through consultation with
strategic capital spares: customers and activation of risk mitigation measures.
• The transmission system requires regular planned maintenance, as
well as renewal or replacement of plant that has reached the end of its Click here to download the full report
operational or economic life, to ensure that network continues to perform Send your comments to rogerl@nowmedia.co.za
its role safely, reliably and efficiently.
• Strategic projects include the upgrading of the energy management system
(EMS) used by the system operator to monitor, control and optimise the
power system’s performance and respond to network emergencies.
• Acquisition of sites and servitudes and associated EIAs (environmental
impact assessments) and other statutory approvals to construct
transmission infrastructure.
• Facilities consist of buildings and associated works located at sites other
than substations that Transmission uses for offices, the operation and
control of the system, or as maintenance depots and workshops.
• Production equipment consists of office furniture and equipment, computer
hardware and software, tools and other equipment used by maintenance
staff, and vehicles.

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