Why manufacturing, maintenance and support are key to the success of SA’s energy future

SOUTH Africa is navigating an energy challenge characterised by intermittent load reduction/shedding, ageing infrastructure and limited generation capacity.

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The country also faces a transmission backlog that affects the seamless integration of renewable energy sources.

Addressing these issues is essential for fostering economic growth and enhancing investor confidence.

Although new renewable generation capacity is being developed, the current transmission infrastructure may not fully support the connection of these sources to the national grid or adequately deliver power to areas of high demand.

As such, limitations within the transmission grid present an important consideration in efforts to expand generation capacity.

This is where the Independent Transmission Projects (ITPs) become essential, unlocking private sector investment to accelerate the expansion of South Africa's transmission network and enable the integration of new generation sources.

The ITP programme aims to inject 3222MW of capacity into the grid while catalysing private sector investment. Yet, the programme’ long-term success will hinge on more than just financial capital; it must actively involve and empower local manufacturers.

Steady rollout for maximum local participation

In an ideal scenario, South Africa's transmission build programme should be phased over 10-15 years, ensuring there is sufficient local market capacity to meet demand.

This steady rollout would enable maximum local participation, particularly among Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contractors as well as product manufacturers.