The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has announced plans to invest a sum of US $6.3bn in revamping the South Africa’s outdated transmission grid.
NTCSA’s Chairperson Priscillah Mabelane performed the launch ceremony of Transmission Development Programme (TDP) which targets to bring nearly 30,000 MW of renewable energy capacity online within the next five years.
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Energy transition
NTCSA’s TDP is central to South Africa’s energy transition, as the country faces mounting challenges due to inadequate transmission infrastructure, especially for renewable energy projects developed by independent power producers (IPPs). The plan includes expanding transmission capacity by constructing 14,000 km of new lines over the next decade. This expansion, part of a broader R390 billion ($22.1 billion) investment, will enable wind, solar, and other green energy projects to deliver electricity to areas with high demand.
The TDP aims to connect 11,000 MW of renewable energy by 2027, followed by a total of 30,000 MW by 2029. This significant capacity addition will address South Africa’s energy crisis and reduce its reliance on coal, aligning with global climate goals. Additionally, NTCSA has signed agreements with 19 private companies to expedite these transmission grid projects, demonstrating the critical role of public-private partnerships in reshaping South Africa’s energy landscape.
