Private Power Projects in South Africa Soar in the Face of Eskom Disruptions

South Africa

Since 2018, R111 billion has been registered by Nersa for a total of 1,185 generation facilities with a 5785 megawatt capacity.

In the three months ending in September, South Africa’s energy regulator registered 98 power-generating facilities with a combined capacity of 908 megawatts, indicating a boom in private projects as the state electric company is unable to satisfy demand.

Solar technology accounted for 71% of the capacity of the plants documented over the time, with an investment value of R17.3 billion ($920 million), according to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa. It stated that sufficient sunlight and versatility for both small- and large-scale installations make solar energy the favored option.

The increase in projects shows how companies are rushing to switch to private energy and away from Eskom, which frequently conducts controlled blackouts due to malfunctions at mostly coal-fired plants. One encouraging development in the government’s efforts to stabilize the electrical system is the registrations.

Until 2021, when it increased the barrier to 100 megawatts, the government required licenses for projects larger than 1 megawatt. The next year, the cap was entirely lifted, although station registration is still necessary.

Since 2018, R111 billion has been registered by Nersa for a total of 1,185 generation facilities with a 5 785 megawatt capacity.

Due to a number of issues, government initiatives to increase the system’s generating capacity have stalled for months or years. With the completion of the procedure to choose successful bidders for its first battery tender, which included Electricite de France and Scatec ASA, South Africa made some headway last week.

Read More: https://ciolook.com/