Some R210 billion is needed to upgrade electricity transmission grid infrastructure to incorporate future renewable projects onto the grid, and “creative ways” would be sought to fund this from the private sector, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said at a briefing.
SOME R210 billion is needed to upgrade electricity transmission grid infrastructure to incorporate future renewable projects onto the grid, and “creative ways” would be sought to fund this from the private sector, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said at a briefing.
He said the government was preparing a document on this matter that would be made available at a later stage.
He said they were also making good progress in working with local governments and municipalities on the expansion of embedded energy and renewable energy projects at municipal level. These would eventually go a long way to increase electricity generation in the country.
Ramokgopa said that with the resumption of Units 1, 2 and 3 at Kusile power station, the energy availability factor (EAF) at Eskom would continue its current steady improvement and come close to the 70% targeted level.
He said they anticipate reaching EAF targets faster than initially expected.
He said the steady improvements in EAF was also allowing Eskom to do more planned maintenance on its power stations.
Ramokgopa said the programme to improve energy efficiencies by 1,000MW over the next six months was also on track, and further details would be released at a later stage.
He added that the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition was expected to launch in July this year a one-stop shop for energy investment projects, which the department would administer.
– BUSINESS REPORT
