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INDUSTRY NEWS

Updated Transmission Development Plan

projects up to 53 GW RE over the

next ten years

Information from Eskom

uring the recent Transmission Development Plan (TDP)
Public Forum, Eskom revealed that approximately 53
DGW of 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 53 GW new additional power includes the current deficit
of between 4 GW and 6 GW. 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 30 GW 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 14 200 km of extra-high voltage
(EHV)lines and 170 transformers by 2032.
Given uncertainty in the longer term, and noting that the
Integrated Resources Plan, as a policy document, is currently
being updated, Eskom is placing a strong focus on the
implementation of projects over the next five years. The analysis
carried out reflects a requirement of approximately 2890 km
of EHV lines and 60 transformers requiring a capital investment Segomoco Scheppers
of R72,2 billion by FY2027. This requires that some challenges
beyond Eskom’s full control, such as the lead time to obtain transmission network capacity by 2027 are to be met, a
servitudes, among other relevant authorisations, as well as the significant investment of R72,2 billion will be required to expand
resource capacity in the country, be urgently addressed. and strengthen the transmission grid over the next five years. Of
The updated TDP takes into account the deterioration of the this amount, R50,8 billion is required for new capacity expansion
energy availability factor (EAF) of the Eskom coal fleet, which was projects to meet the reliability requirements, connection of new
a key factor in the drafting of the IRP2019. generation capacity and loads, as well as to acquire servitudes.
The additional generation capacity requirements also A further R21,4 billion is required to refurbish the existing asset
take into account Eskom’s 2035 Corporate Strategy and have base and procurement of production equipment.”
considered the connection applications received from the The TDP Forum is held annually as part of Eskom’s
various procurement programmes by the Department of Mineral transmission licence requirements issued by the National Energy
Resources and Energy (DMRE) and applications received from the Regulator of South Africa (Nersa), which requires Eskom to
non-DMRE integration programmes, as well as input from various publish a TDP every year.
renewable energy associations. Eskom uses this forum to demonstrate its commitment to
Accommodating this increased generation capacity means openness and transparency, which is further reflected in the
that a reliable and adequate transmission system is required depth of information shared with the stakeholders for them
to integrate and dispatch this new capacity to the load centres to keep abreast of Eskom’s operations and to make informed
across the country. decisions.
Eskom’s Managing Director for Transmission, Segomoco
Scheppers, says, “The next five years are very critical for security Contact Eskom, Phone 011 800-3433 / 5944 / 6050,
of supply. If the TDP 2022 requirements to deliver an adequate mediadesk@eskom.co.za

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