Minister Ramokgopa said the current energy availability factor is at 64%. Photographer: Henk Kruger / Independent Newspapers
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says power utility Eskom is on track to develop a renewable energy division in the future.
The minister made the remarks in a written reply after he was asked if the state entity had plans to develop a renewable energy division within Eskom.
Ramokgopa said Eskom was on track to provide more renewable energy programmes and that the power utility already had a renewable energy portfolio.
This question was posed by Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Nazier Paulsen in parliamentary questions to the minister.
The MP also asked Ramokgopa if Eskom would be able to create a division that has proper infrastructure focusing on solar, wind and hydro-energy.
Paulsen also wanted to know what preparations has the utility made to invest in research to improve the reliability of the “green” division and its programmes.
In a written response, Ramokgopa said Eskom had a strong role to play in creating new clean energy capacity.
“Base-load coal generation capacity will be lost as the power stations reach their end-of-life and need to be replaced, with further opportunity for growth,” Ramokgopa explained.
“Eskom has a renewables portfolio, and a large part of it will focus on the repowering of the old power stations, starting before the stations reach their end-of-life.
“Renewable technologies include PV (Photovoltaic also known as a solar cell), wind and long-duration storage which involves battery and pump storage.
“These projects also include a strong focus on managing the socio-economic impact in the Mpumalanga region, ensuring job creation and business development opportunities.”
The minister added that in addition to the repowering, Eskom is also developing large tracts of land, not just in the proximity of the power stations, but in areas with good renewables potential such as the Northern, Western and Eastern Cape.
“The Eskom portfolio further includes hydro pump storage, gas and nuclear (pressurised water reactors and small modular nuclear reactors) as power generation opportunities,” Ramokgopa concluded.
Earlier this week, the minister gave an update on Eskom’s performance, saying it was on track to achieve an energy availability factor (EAF) of 70% in 2025.
On Monday, Ramokgopa said the current EAF was almost 64%.
“We are on the right path. All metrics are pointing to positive performance, and we are far exceeding where we expected to be,” Ramokgopa noted.
He said that Eskom is now focusing on maintaining and improving its energy generation to keep load shedding at bay.
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