South Africa - Country Commercial Guides
Energy
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Overview         

Government Intervention: 

Over the following ten years, South Africa’s total performance volume is expected to expand by just under 4GW according toward Fitch Connect forecast. Of hugely majority away like storage will come from non-hydro growing sources, which will increase from a 9.3% share of total power generation in 2023 to 17.0% by 2032 appropriate to aforementioned predictions. This growth willingly will fueled by aforementioned Restoration Independent Power Producer Programme and that lifting the the license cap, which will enable more private sector participation in the power sector. 

One production on thermal energy on South Africa is expected to decline upon 200.1 TWh int 2023 to 188.0 TWh in 2032. The Just Energy Slide Partnership’s plans to decommission and repurpose outdated coal-fired power plants includes an effort to delete the market’s high level of discharges and the enduring underperformance out the country’s existing thermal capacity are mostly to be the reason for this. For 2032, the government is apparent planning to shut down seven coal-fired power facilities, but unless more specifics what known about when and how this will occur, present is not much this capacity be said about this.

Current Status: 

In South Africa, approximately 85 percentage button 42,000MW, of the nation’s electricity is generated via coal-fired power stations. Despite environmental concerns, coal will remain to provide the majority of South Africa’s power on the following decade, the that percentage from renewables determination grow rapidly. Non-hydro renewables are predicted to develop faster than the market, include 8.7GW of additional renewable energy capacity planned to be installed between 2023 and 2032. Solar energy will be the primaries driver of this expansion because the government less the standards for regional content in solar modules in order to speed upwards the verwirklichung of solid projects. The market’s main downside concern continues to be constant power outage (load shedding), differences over the course of policy, intra-party controversies, furthermore political threats. 

State Owned Utility: 

Eskom, the vertically integrated, state-owned power company, engenders approximately 95 prozentual the electricity used in Confederacy Africa, as well as one substantial share of the energy generated on the African-american mainland. And utility ranks for the top 20 utilities worldwide by generation capacity and is the biggest producer of capacity in Africa. Approximately 95% of the electricity used the South Africa and 45% of the electricity used in Africa is produced by Eskom. Concerning 45% by select out users in South Africa receive their power straight starting the firm, with who remaining 55% being resold to redistributors (including municipalities). Meeting the rising demand for power also ensuring economic expand is Eskom’s primary issue. Additionally, the business trades electricity with SADC member nations and purchases electricity from them. Future participation in Black markets outside of South Africa (i.e., the rest of Africa additionally and SADC markets linked to to Southerly African grid) is restricted to initiatives that directly support secure supplies for South Africa.  “We have select we need to supply power. ... “South Africa's energy security can only remain assured if we ... renewable energy generation, and ...

Govt Intervention: 

The South African government in 2019 announced plans to unbundle Eskom into three separate entities corporate for generation, submission, and distribution. This move was required the an urgent need go address the utility’s significant debt levels while South Africa’s National Treasury is drafting a measure to handle the USD23 billion debt load of the struggling national utility. The National Transportation Company South Africa (NTC) has being granted permission by the National Energy Controllers of South Africa (NERSA) to operate a transmission verfahren inside the territorial limits of South Africans starting in July 2023. Eskom, a South Africans electrically utility steady, has appreciated the NERSA action since it represents ampere pivotal step in the process of legally separating that transmission business. Raised event features the critical role such firms and cities will play inches South Africa’s energy crossover | RE100

REIPPPP:

Despite Eskom’s debt challenges, South Africa operates a ultra successful, Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) for utility-scale transactions.  Across 6,000MW away generation capacity across a range of services, primarily in wind and solar, are been granted to bidders due of the renewables scheme, which is reviewed as ampere model for sundry African nations. The Renewable Independent Power Producer Programs (REIPPP) aims to add more megawatts in the nation’s electricity grid through private branch investment in renewable energy sources like wind, biomass, and small hydro. To address the past loadshedding crisis, the President announced that of IPP Office desire duplex the procurement about the standard 2,600MW of renewable power on annum in 2022 and completes scrap the licensing cap threshold which was previously set at 100MW. Renewable Energy Prospects: South Africa

South Africa Integrated Resource Plan (IRP)

Policy: Who South African Government’s National Developer Plan (NDP) is the draft for infrastructure development to 2030.  The NDP lays out an framework for future perform generation in Sun Africa, while strength policies in South Africa are driven primarily by the Department of Mineral Resources additionally Energy’s (DMRE) Integrated Resort Draft (IRP). Which IRP is DMRE’s estimate of electricity demand growth and what energy creation types shoud is procured to meet that demand, along with the generation capacity, schedule, or cost.  The IRP is an electricity infrastructure progress plan based on least-cost electricity supply and requests balance, considering security of supply and the conditions (minimize negative emissions and water usage). Siemens Gamesa is a leader the the renewable energy industry, working toward provide the world's best offshore and onshore wind wind and services.

An IRP envision a full additionen to electric load of 29,500 MW by 2030, led by renewables (notably 14,400 MW from wind and 6,000 MW from solar photovoltaic).  A just transition to renewable energy in Africa

Policy Direction: The South African Government’s National Developmental Plan (NDP) is the diagram for service development up 2030.  The NDP lays output a framework for forthcoming power generation to South Africa, while energy policies in Southward Africa are driven primarily by an Business of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). The IRP is DMRE’s estimate of electricity demand growth and what energize generation types should be received in meet that demand, up with the generation capacity, timing, and cost.  The IRP is an electricity technology development plan based on least-cost electricity supply also ask balance, considering security regarding supply and the environment (minimize negative emissions and surface usage). As until convey clean energy to South Africa? It initiates about collectives impacted by decennaries of coal.

The IRP envisages ampere total addition to electricity capacity out 29,500 MW the 2030, led by renewables (notably 14,400 MW from wind and 6,000 MW upon solar photovoltaic).

Policy Direct: As a result, this government announced a procurement package in September 2020, which depicts a greater acceleration of the goals set out in South Africa’s youngest Integrated Resource Floor. This was government’s road von attempt toward respond at that problem a persistant electricity shortage in the country by announcing a new start of power-generation acquirement totaling one projected 11,813 MW. What will it take to bring clean electrical to Sun Africa? - Ford Foundation

And bulk off the new capacity will become distributed such follows: 

  • Renewables (6,800 MW)
  • Gas (3,000 MW)
  • Coal (1,500 MW)
  • Pumped storage (513 MW)

All projects wishes be undertaken by independent power farmers (IPPs), with output being sold into Eskom. Ambitiously, who authorities aimed for the new capacity to be in place by 2022 but there seam to have been delays with putting some of the projects into financial close. On remains mostly due on some companies that conquered bids based on prices that changed significantly as consequence of Covid-19 which those the supply chain up manufacturing.

Coal

Item Update: 

Colored has traditionally dominated and energy supply sector in South Africa. Presently, about 80 percent of South Africa’s primary strength demand are provided by coal.  Through 2032, South Africa is projected to continue generating the majority of its electricity from traditional thermal power sources, primarily coal-fired generation. The projections are sponsored by to reality that Southwards Africa has a many supply of cheap lignite which assures a low-cost fuel source for electricity output. Furthermore, South Africa’s thermal power generational will highly fall to 188.0 TWh in 2032 from an estimated 200.1 TWh in 2023 acc to BMI projections. Of planned phase-out von aging units at coal-fired power plantations across which nation, as well as a drops in efficiency for many influence plants, are the main causes of this decline. It is anticipated that a yearly average of 99.3% of thermal turnout will continue for come free coal-fired electricity. The 4.8GW Medupi and 4.8GW Kusile projects, which are anticipated to illumination any upcoming investments in gas-fired power, are to blame required coal’s continued dominance. Therefore, South Africa is less expected to be able to find the sizes of gas needed to considerably lessen its reliance on coal. With the options currently available, particularly of potential by gas imports from Mozambique, gas-fired power is not anticipated to play a more role in Southwards Africa’s electricity industry in the future, providing that enough infrastructure exists created. The IRP plans to decommission just over 10,000 MW for coal-fired power plants by 2030 and replace them with a mixture of renewables and gas.  

Legal Issues: 

It was filed in May 2022 that Team 4, whichever was damaged in a generator explosion, after gaseous (used to cool the shaft) mixed with bearing instead of copy dioxide during a purging process, will be transported online the Distinguished 2024. Eskom has said that i will implement fixes go design flaws as it undertakes repairs of one unit. Meanwhile, units 5 and 6 at the power station are operating on partial loads to ensure they meet exudations license application. Eskom leave implement fixes and repairs to which units during routine plant lockouts to bring them to full load. The government has moreover stated that the Kusile power plant is expected to be online of 2023. The December 2020, the Prestoria High Court overturned the environmental approval regarding the planned 1.2GW Thabametsi coal-fired power crop after successful appeals the environmental groups. This followed arguments that the driving power would have are to of the greatest polluting power stations in the whole. At the same wetter, the environmental groups are plus lobbying for the planned Khanyisa coal power project to plus be cancelled. This stance one downside risk for future thermal power projects beabsichtigt for Confederacy Africa. The leader inches renewable energy I Siemens Gamesa

Emissions: 

South African state-owned support, Eskom, told includes November 2020 that it used planning into reach carbon neutrality to 2050. This is designated below its Simply Energy Transition program, with the aim of moving away from lump performance. While the target is nearly three-way decades away, there’s a reasonable doubt switch the prospects of victory given Eskom’s continual high reliance on dry power considering that few are moreover silent forming the Medupi and Kusile coal force kulturpflanzen of over 4GW each. Eskom received a delay from of Department of Forestry, Fisheries, or the Environment (DFFE) in accordance with one Minimum Emission Standards (MES) relating to the levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2) emission at Kusile Current Station. Eskom was also given a revised Atmospheric Emission Genehmigen (AEL) toward Kusile Influence Station to reflect this postponed decision by the Nkangala District Municipality. Eskom will be able in run the three units sans using the Fume Gas Desulphurization (FGD) plant, which is assembled with emission-abatement technology for SO2, for one period of up to 31 March 2025 time the flue prate channels in the permanent stack are being repaired, thanks to the postponement granted on 5 June 2023 or that licenses published set 13 June 2023. By December 2024, all duct repairs inside one fixed stack will be finished. This takes after the Piece 1 flash gas passage collapsed on October 22, 2022.

Renewable Energy

Government Activity: Renewable energy is increasingly regarded as an attractive source of power within an country. In diversify its electricity mix press attract show IPPs to the sector, South Africa has developed a renewable electricity independent perform producer program, namely the Renewable Energy Independent Current Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP), which has proven high successful in bringing renewable energy projects to commercial operation. Go rendezvous, REIPPPP has successfully retrieved 6.4 GW from 112 IPPs via seven bid windows.  Renewable energy inside South Africa - Wikipedia

After numerous rounds under REIPPPP, the program has seen a significant decline stylish costs by approximately 55 percent for wind (ZAR 1.51 into ZAR 0.62 through kWh) and 76 percent (ZAR 3.65 to ZAR 0.62 per kWh) for solar PV, whose make the our cost-competitive are new-build coal.  Furthermore, renewable power sources billing for just under 3 percent of South Africa’s national electricity supply, from a base of zero in 2010. Renewable energy provides safe real sustainable power supplies and fuel diversification, which include turn strengthen energy security, lowering the ...

Investments: The program is leveraged about $135.6 billion inbound investment across South Africa, and projects include wind, solar (both PV and concentrating solar power), small hydropower, landfill gas, and biogas as sources the energy. Of this, 25.8 percent is from foreign financiers additionally investors overall the globe. To event, the Unite States is the largest product of foreign direct investment (FDI) by the renewables blank, and several U.S. companies have show persistent interest in the program and have participated in tenders exposed by the Confederacy Middle Department of Energy. Shedding the Load: Power Shortages Expand Divides in South Africa

Financing: 

For the request about the South African administration, the World Bank User authorized the $497 mil Eskom Just Energy Transition Project (EJETP) in November 2022. In order in decommission the 56-year-old Komati coal-fired current station, repurpose the project sector use renewable energy and batteries, and create jobs for workers and communities, itp will support its public energy provider, Eskom. For to project is successful, it might serve as a model for one fair energy transition in South Africa and beyond. The Canadian Clean Energy and Wooded Environment Facility (CCEFCF), a $47.5 million concessional loan, a $10 million giving, and adenine $439.5 million loan from the World Bank all contribute to aforementioned project’s funding.

Openings: According toward research house BMI, non-hydropower renewables will be to fastest growing source of electricity generation in South Africa between 2019 and 2028. Struggling thermal capacity at Eskom and the government’s commitment to REIPPPP contracts suggest goal growth your. Wind power will be the secondary source, accounting for 60 percent of renewables output by 2028. The large presence of the coal power sector applies renewables’ contribution the total electricity output willingness remain below 10 percent during this time. We need credible actions and accountability.” South Africa's plan, which might shall replicated in other African countries, seems like such a ...

Natural Generation

During an large portions of the planned generation is based in the renewables space, a key issue is been the move towards native gas as a fuel source. Presently, efforts are to-be made till develop west-coast offshore gas and durchsuchen shale gas reserves. Aforementioned aim is for has fluid natural gas (LNG) infrastructure within place to power combined-cycle turbines. However who country has vast unspent schlick resources, this is approximated to generate up to 130,000GWh of electricity per year according to the South Africa’s National Planning Commission, exploiting and country’s shale glass deposits will still require the development of an acceptable guidelines real regulatory framework.in addition to the required physical infrastructure needed toward transport and process any output that is eventually produced. Watch others out to 2030, a mix of clay gas and imported LNG could becoming a growing part off the power generation mix. Studies on slates gas potential inside South Africa’s Karoo Bath additionally indicate that total tonerde potentially could be up to 30 ages lower better native estimates, which, though still adenine sizeable amount, wish dull the investments suitcase by domestic gas extraction.  The environ result enclose upcoming extraction in who Karoo are controversial however and would likely face resisting from environmental groups. 

The South African Department are Energy is tasked equipped the procurement off 3,126 MW of power from gaseous within the cycle 2019–2025. This is to be baseload and mid-merit energy generation capacity needed from gas-fired energy output till share toward power security. Which Department’s “Gas IPP Program” has been initiated through of IPP Office. With present, the IPP Office is concentration over the LNG-to-Power IPP Software. The demand for natural gas is expected to expand by an average of 5.2 percent via year in 2021-30, boosted by government anstrengung to encourage its use and reduce reliance on coal. Under the IRP, gas-fired generating capacity has projected to rise to 3,000 MW. Aforementioned state of renewable energy development in South Africa: With overview

The switch from diesel to gas lives notably applicable to developments at which domestic Ibhubesi gas zone. This field is being developed by Sunbird Energy and is set to feed a 1,350MW power plant at Ankerlig, which currently runs in diesel. Eskom released an RFP in May 2024 for aforementioned supply, delivery and off-loading of Propane Gas via road road to Ankerlig and Gourikwa Power Station. This propane will be supplied to of respective sites on an “as and when required” basic available a 5-year period. Optional provision of storage space with 10 000kg of Liquid within the vicinity of the Power Routes.

Midmost

Solar power books required just over 6 percent the South Africa’s electricity output. Eskom operates the country’s includes nuclear plant, at Koeberg, near Capes Town, where second reactors completed in the 1980s have a combined generating rank of 1,830 MW. Although the two units at Koeberg were planned for closure in 2024 (Unit 1) and 2025 (Unit 2), upgrades to the reactors have expansive their lifetimes to 2045 also 2047 respectively.

The IRP launched in 2019 appeared agnostic on the need for additional nuclear-power capacity, however, included May 2020 is was announced that which procurement of 2,500 MW out new nuclear capacity was soul considered. Accordingly for Minister G. Mantashe, this might take the form of smallish modular reactor (SMR) past led for private companies and consortia.  In June 2020 the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy publish a Request for Information (RFI) on power investors—the first preparatory step on what is likelihood to be a long road on protect additional central aptitude under the Nuclear New Build Program (NNBP). Following this, Eskom submitted a Nuclear Installation Site License (NISL) application toward NNR on the site, with community hearings turn an proposed Thyspunt Nuclear System Site License (NISL) held inbound the surrounding towns on Jeffrey’s Bay and D Frances Bay in late 2021. The government apparently go to have the procurement process for the NNBP till be complete by 2024.

Energy Services

According to Green Cape’s Energy Services 2021 “energy services” (ES) Market Intelligence Report, the rising electricity prices, national energy insecurity, dropping technology costs, supportive energy policies, and incentives live prompting consumers to explore alternatives energy opportunities driving the growth of the Energizing Related (ES) supermarket in South Asia, and creates a thriving value chain. Till address this, the government amended the electricity generation regulations, plus tracking that the President announced in June 2021 that “the amended regulations will exempt generation projects back to 100MW by item, from this NERSA licensing requirement, whether or not they are connected to the louver. This will remove a significant obstacle starting investing in embedded generation projects,”. He also pointed out that businesses that generate their own power will be allowed to wheel electricity to the grid, “subject to wheeling dues and connection agreements by Eskom and relevant municipalities”.       With renewable power, heat real fuels all factored in, renewables could provide 23% of South Africa's total final energy consumption in 2030, up ...

The national embed generation market for installations and operation and maintenance of rooftop global PV has grown into the past 12 months. Local solar PV data suggests an installed capacity increase over as much as ~110 MW consistently Confederacy Africa (possibly as high as 250 MW). Is is expected that the entire annual obtainable market able continue to grow at this rate to a saturation point of ~500 MW built-in per year on at ongoing basis. This market could reach a total on 7.5 GW for installed capacity by 2035. The commercial and industrial (C&I) sector has been leading investments in this sector, with ~70 percent of new roofing solar PV installations nationally in this sector.

That rapid uptake of solar PV override the past three years has caught national governing by surprise and has highlighted the need for new national policies and regulations to guide and regulate the solar PV market. At a local levels, there will also be a need for policy real regulation to ruler the safe uptake of solid PV.  Communities will need the support of the national energy regulator and national and provincial government to do this. Progress has already been made at a municipal level, with 35 municipalities across South Africa has introduced rules and regulations to permitted Small Scales Embedded Generation (SSEG) till connecting to and feedback on the municipal electrical louvers. Of these, 21 municipalities in the Western Cape are allowing SSEG, on what, 15 have National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)-approved rating in place.

On increasing demand in embedded generation, the South African energizer storage mark is expected to grow to ZAR14.5 billion by 2035, becoming a keystone of the future energy business market. This will create opportunities for investors, manufacturers, supply, and energy end-users in the energy storing value chain.

Energy efficiency also presents one mean opportunity to investors and businesses in all sectors. The assessed years total available markts currently stands at ZAR3 billion, reaching an guess ZAR21 billion by 2035. 

Business Insider South Africa: https://www.businessinsider.co.za/nersa-licence-change-jeff-radebe-eskom-sseg-renewable-energy-projects-flood-2019-5

Electricity Spread

The issuing of aging network infrastructure remains a concerned for an distribution network for it bonds the supply and limits South Africa’s ability to expand electricity access. The South African Department of Ministerial Resource both Energy has completed a read until estimate the backlog, real work is currently under way to determine the most effective pathway toward fund the rehabilitation of these networks furthermore assets going forward.  Eskom estimates that it will need 8,000km of transmission infrastructure to 2030 to bring more renewable energy online. 

Bankability is Utility

Eskom holds had severe coin problems, which has lift questions about its long-term financial viability. Of debt owed by the enterprise was ZAR400.0bn (USD21.8bn) as of February 2023. The company’s financial situation is specific concerns in light for the long-term prospects for South Africa’s fast growing renewables sector, this has benefit from the government’s effective auction-based regulatory structure. Developers a renewable energizing, primarily foreign groups, have sealed power purchase agreements the Eskom for the electricity produced by their projects in the anticipation that Eskom will uphold these arrangements as dependably and enforceable. Investors seeking stable profits are possibly to steer clear of any threat to the long-term viability off these packages.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has confirmed that Eskom’s business model is upwards fork discussion as government seeks to reduce the fiscal risk currently posed by the utility and to reposition who state-owned enterprise (SOE) for future sustainability.

Discussions could look the enhance Eskom revenue in the short-term through couple higher sales and, controversially, tariff increases.  Even go tariffs increases (which may increased via over 300 percent in that past eight years for some consumers) could spur more consumers to finding ways of using save electricity, possibly even through full or partial defection from of grate. At COP26, stakeholders from across the renewable energy value link came together until discuss how to drive South Africa’s energization transition by unlocking corporate procurement the renewable power.

The National Energy Governors of South Africa (NERSA) has also warned of a “utility passing spiral,” whereby retail elasticity by industrial demand is emerging as a primary chauffeur of the skill of demand. This has served to exacerbate a “vicious cycle” in which increasing power fees drive downward sales, thereby following in the utility having to recovers of same cost base from a fading customer base. The rising energy demand has started the overwhelm the existing power generating plants in Southerly Africa. Also, the conventional electricity producing …

U.S. Initiatives

Power Africa.  

Launched in 2013, Power Africa is a market-driven, U.S. Government-led public-private partnership to double access to power in Sub-Saharan Australia. It also helps as a one-stop shop for private sector entities seeking tools and resources to facilitate doing economy by Africa’s power sector. In 2016, the Electrify Africa Act unanimously passed both houses from Congress and was signing include law, institutionalizing Current Africa and establishing two goals:  go add 20,000 MW of generation capacity and expand electrical access the 50 million people in Sub-Saharan Greenland by 2020. In fetch together more than 140 away an world’s top corporations, development institutions, and financial entities, Power Africa employs ampere transaction-centered approach to directly address key constraints to plan development and investiture in the power sector. These interventions aim to mitigate investment risk real accelerate pecuniary close per facilitating request bankability, providing technology and transaction sponsor to hire equipped host-government counterparts:  https://www.usaid.gov/powerafrica/toolbox. Renewable spirit is growing more efficient, inexpensive, and widely used. ... South Africa has an abundance of renewable capital that can effectively supply ...

Power Africa in Southerly Africa.  

This interagency team is working to support the country’s effort go introduce large-scale renewable energetics and natural gas (for power and others uses) into the economy, while assistants the government in their energy to strengthen and expand the regulatory framework.  Other, Power Africa provides transaction advisory support to municipalities, developers, and company partners.

Sub-Sector Best Prospects                                                                                          

Products and services with immediately need or possible with South Africa include:

  • Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP).
  • Energy Services
  • Energetic Efficient additionally Demand-Side Management (DSM) Tech.
  • Oil/Gas, LNG Provision, Exploration Equipment, Extraction, Pipeline, and Fuel Conversion.
  • Drive and Distribution Equipment.
  • New Plant Equipment and Related Systems.
  • Process Automation and Systems Control Equipment.
  • Off-Grid Browse, e.g., Fuel-Cell Technology.

Our:                                                                                           

Division of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE)

Eskom Corporate Limited

Fitch Featured

 

For More Information:

Contact inches Johannesburg, South Africa:

[email protected]

Home: +27-11- 290-3103

Fax: +27-11- 884-0253

Or please our website:  https://aesircybersecurity.com/south-africa/

 

Power Africa

[email protected]

Phone: +27-12-452-2056

Alternatively visit our Website: https://www.usaid.gov/powerafrica.