Industry organisation the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) welcomes the establishment of State-owned renewable-energy utility Eskom Green, but calls for assurance that access to the limited grid capacity will be shared equitably by all independent power producers and players.
The establishment of Eskom Green recognises that utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage will be central to delivering long-term energy security, supporting economic growth and attracting investment into the country's energy infrastructure.
By creating a focused vehicle to develop renewable energy and battery storage projects in partnership with the private sector, Eskom is positioning itself to play a more active role in expanding generation capacity while supporting South Africa's decarbonisation objectives, SAPVIA says.
However, grid availability remains one of the defining challenges and opportunities for South Africa's energy transition, says SAPVIA CEO Dr Rethabile Melamu.
“Efforts to maximise existing grid capacity while accelerating transmission expansion will be essential if we are to unlock the next wave of renewable-energy investment and deliver energy infrastructure at the scale the country requires,” she says.
