Page 14 - Issue 2 2023

VIEWS AND OPINION

Steps taken to follow through on from Bid Window 6 of the renewable energy programme, representing 2800 MW of
the commitments announced by the new capacity. Construction of these projects will start soon.
President include: • A new ministerial determination has been published for 14 771 MW of new
• Schedule 2 of the Electricity generation capacity from wind, solar and battery storage to accelerate further bid
Regulation Act has been amended windows.
to remove the licensing requirement • An additional 300 MW has been imported through the Southern African Power Pool,
for generation projects, which will and negotiations are underway to secure a potential 1000 MW from neighbouring
significantly accelerate private countries starting this year.
investment. • Eskom has developed and launched a programme to purchase power from
• Since the licensing threshold was companies with available generation capacity through a standard offer. The first
first raised to 100 MW, the pipeline contracts are expected to be signed in the coming weeks.
of private sector projects has grown • A team of independent experts has been established to work closely with Eskom
to more than 100 projects with to diagnose the problems at poorly performing power stations and take action to
over 9000 MW of capacity. The improve plant performance.
first of these large-scale projects is
expected to connect to the grid by In addition, the Presidency said that six power stations, Duvha, Kendal, Kusile, Majuba,
the end of this year. Matla, and Tutuka, have been identified for particular focus over the coming months
• NECOM has instructed departments through a comprehensive Generation Recovery Plan.
to cut red tape and streamline If these six stations could reliably supply 50% or more of their rated outputs, they
regulatory processes for energy could probably meet at least half of South Africa’s summer load on their own.
projects, including reducing the Another step in the right direction is the granting of permission to the City of Cape
timeframe for environmental Town to purchase electricity from residents and businesses directly. Already, feed-in
authorisations to 57 days from over tariffs have been announced and the implementation of the system is imminent.
100 days. To address and stop the destructive effect of ongoing load shedding and to underpin
• NECOM insists that the registration and support the ANC’s National Development Plan, South Africa needs a new, young,
process be reduced from four well-educated energy minister who understands the global energy sector and is able to
months to three weeks and that implement policies which will result in the provision of the power needed to support
grid connection approvals must be economic growth. Only economic growth can make the eradication of inequality,
provided within six months. unemployment and poverty possible.
• Project agreements for 19 projects
from Bid Window 5 and six projects Send your comments to rogerl@nowmedia.co.za

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