Johnathan Paoli
Minister in the Presidency for Electricity Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says as government and Eskom’s efforts at resolving the existing challenges at the power utility continue, it would simultaneously start introducing novel forms of generation capacity from renewable sources to ensure energy security into the future.
The Minister was speaking during an update on the implementation of the Energy Action Plan on Monday and says his ministry is considering the introduction of interventions which would introduce new generation capacity from a multiplicity of fuel sources and players to ensure that the country was not confronted with the same problem going into the future.
“Now we are looking beyond Eskom as part of an enduring resilient solution to the energy crisis and ultimately, we are able to achieve energy sovereignty”.
According to Ramokgopa the government is “doing everything possible” to ensure that new generation projects are brought into the fold, and that currently, there are about 120 projects with some 12 000 megawatts.
“There is a need for us to expedite the applications for the new generation. We are departing from the current arrangement. So a project developer will go to a number of departments…to get the environmental impact assessment… They then lodge an application with the Department of Water Affairs for water use licence, and they’ll lodge an application again with Eskom for grid access”.
Ramokgopa says Eskom and government are working hard to ensure a reduction in the amount of time it takes for renewable energy resources to be connected to the grid, with backlogs receiving urgent attention, and through the introduction of a single window of entry ensuring simplicity and ease in the application process.
“There’s additional work that is being done to ensure that we are able to introduce new generation capacity, that there’s no overreliance just on Eskom. The introduction of reforms are beginning to see practical progress. The measure of that progress is in the number of megawatts that we are able to receive,” he says.
Furthermore, Ramokgopa confirms that six power stations required immediate attention in light of the approaching winter months.
“We have identified six power stations that require urgent and immediate attention because they are likely to give us the best returns and amongst them is Tutuka, Kendal and Kusile. Essentially, over a period of time they come across as being problematic and therefore require added attention,” Ramokgopa says.
Starting from around May, the colder months tended to witness a significant increase in the demand for energy, placing the grid at risk of higher levels of load shedding and Ramokgopa says Eskom is expected to present its winter load shedding plan closer to the commencement of the winter season.
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