Cape Town – Eskom’s Managing Director of Transmission, Segomoco Scheppers, has announced that the power utility is actively working to expand transmission lines and increase future generation capacity for the power grid.
The Transmission Development Plan (TDP) Implementation Forum discussed Eskom’s goal to augment the transmission network by about 14,200km by 2032 to ensure energy security in the country.
“[There] are currently 46 expansion projects in execution, of which 26 will deliver 1 632km of transmission lines, 11 290MVA and enable over 15 000MW of generation capacity. Of these 26 projects, 50% will deliver 890km of transmission lines, 3 290MVA of transformer capacity and enable the safe and reliable operation of over 10 000MW of new generation.
“This includes specifically Medupi and Kusile [power stations] as well as the Garob 267MW project connecting at Kronos substation in the Northern Cape. The other 50%… are in different phases of procurement and will deliver 435km and 8 000MVA, enabling 4 975MW of new generation capacity, mainly in the Northern and Western Cape,” Scheppers said.
He emphasised Eskom’s focus on rapidly expanding the grid while ensuring the safe operation of the power system.
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Looking into the future of Eskom transmission, Scheppers said Eskom has approved “the execution of R26 billion in capital investment” for transmission, with two priority programmes already in the pipeline to “accelerate the delivery of the transmission infrastructure”.
“These programmes entail, firstly, the development of 25 projects in existing substations… which will unlock 13 000MW of new generation in the next five years; secondly, 22 expedited transmission projects that will unlock 24 000MW of grid connection capacity by 2033.
“We are developing these 47 projects, which have the potential to unlock 37 000MW of grid connection capacity between 2025 and 2033. These projects are at different stages of implementation in terms of design, procurement and construction,” he said.
Scheppers called on stakeholders to support Eskom’s plans and highlighted the importance of cooperation from relevant authorities, the market, construction, contractors, suppliers, and consultants.
He also provided an update on the legal separation of Eskom into Generation, Distribution, and Transmission entities.
The separation of the transmission entity, named the National Transmission Company South Africa SOC Ltd (NTCSA), is in progress, awaiting final approval from the Minister of Public Enterprises.
The NTCSA will operate independently, with an independent board of directors and a binding merger agreement already signed.
The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has approved licenses for operating the transmission system, trading in electricity, and import/export, with the final licenses expected to be obtained soon.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
