Page 23 - EngineerIT Nov-Dec 2025

ENERGY

For De Ruyter, the energy debate Economic competitiveness, tariff As De Ruyter notes, in Germany’s
has been over-complicated by stability and job creation all hinge “Day-ahead market,” wholesale
ideology. The numbers already speak. on the same pivot: cleaner, faster, prices on the Electricity Exchange
Utility-scale solar energy could be decentralised power. are set for every 15-minute interval
established in about one to three of the following day, reflecting actual
years, while wind energy may take Private energy, public good supply and demand dynamics. This
around three years. However, a new “The private sector has repeatedly transparent electricity marketplace
nuclear-powered solution may take shown itself ready, willing and invites efficiency, competition and
fifteen years and new coal at least a able to invest in new generation innovation. So, logically, as De Ruyter
decade — that is, if anyone were still capacity,” he says. puts it, “Why would we not do that?”
willing to finance or insure it.
Indeed, in just eighteen months, The borrowed-light moment
“If you have an imminent shortfall, private developers and households The recent reprieve from load-
sure, gas can be part of the portfolio,” installed somewhere between 6,000 shedding has many breathing
he concedes, “but we must understand and 7,500 MW of rooftop solar — easier. Still, the arithmetic behind
that AI data centres have pushed the equivalent of one and a half the calm may tell a different story.
demand for gas turbines to current Medupis quietly materialising above With approximately R25 billion in
lead times of seven years. And the country’s roofs. diesel burned in 2024 to fill the
exposing a large part of your electricity gaps, the question is whether this is
cost base to the vagaries of imported That silent revolution has stabilised sustainable, given that most of the
natural gas, with the risk of changes in the grid more effectively than many coal fleet is around forty-five years
exchange rates, may create even more realise. While the state wrestles with old and poorly maintained.
upward pressure on electricity cost.” macro-projects, citizens are rewiring
the nation one inverter at a time. De Ruyter surmises there could be
Pragmatically, speed saves costs. a possible loadshedding relapse
Renewable projects deliver megawatts Designing the next grid between 2028 and 2032, depending
while slower options are still clearing If generation is decentralising, the on how quickly replacement capacity
permits. De Ruyter suggests that the grid must evolve to match. comes online. The maths again:
result is simple arithmetic: a cheaper, unless renewables and storage keep
faster path to energy security. De Ruyter postulates, “Continue the scaling, today’s silence is temporary.
implementation of the independent
Competition is an energy question transmission system operator – the Portfolio, not purity
Tariffs rise while household budgets JSE of electricity – where buyers and “To be clear,” says De Ruyter, “I’m not
don’t, and the compound effect is sellers can engage in longer-term speaking out against coal or nuclear.
pushing citizens to act before the state contracts or day-ahead trading. Power stability isn’t a one-trick pony.
does. In Germany, prices are set every Let’s run the numbers, look at the
few minutes; that’s how dynamic a data, and as quickly as possible
“With the current inflation trajectory, market can be. There’s no reason migrate to the portfolio that ticks all
rooftop solar and batteries are one of we can’t move that way.” the objectives.”
the best investments you can make,”
De Ruyter notes, “And both businesses
and families who can afford the
transition are taking the plunge.”

This isn’t rebellion, he insists, but
rational adaptation. Old coal plants
gulp water and leak money, but
renewables free both.

“Older power stations use an incredible
amount of water,” he explains. “Freeing
that water up could drive immense
growth in agriculture – one of our most
labour-intensive and economically
essential sectors.”

23 | EngineerIT November/December 2025