Cape Town – The US Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) has awarded Eskom a $1.3 million (R24 million) grant to explore advanced technologies for improving the country’s electricity transmission grid.
The grant aims to support the expansion and strengthening of the grid to accommodate more renewable energy and reduce power outages, reports said on Wednesday.
Currently, South Africa’s transmission grid is a significant constraint to the country’s transition to a low-carbon economy, with limitations hindering the development of new renewable projects, New24 reported.
The USTDA grant will provide technical assistance to assess the viability of innovative technologies and approaches to enhance the grid’s stability and reliability.
In August, the USTDA recently declared its endorsement of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which was formed in 2020 between South Africa and several developed nations, including the United States. This collaboration aims to assist South Africa in its shift from coal-based energy to renewable sources. To support this transition, an initial funding offer of R159 billion was extended by France, Germany, the US, the UK, and the European Union, IOL reported.
USTDA director Enoh Ebon stated that the agency’s ongoing efforts in South Africa were already in line with the objectives of the JETP. Feasibility studies were being pursued, and technical assistance was being provided for renewable energy, smart-grid, and battery storage projects across multiple countries. Ebon further emphasized that the agency was well positioned to contribute projects to this initiative.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
