- The jam packed and well supported energy conference and exhibition event kicked off yesterday with Keynote speaker Mr André de Ruyter – CEO of South Africa’s power utility, Eskom, punting gas as a transitionary fuel to renewables for Eskom.
“We need dispatchable power to make up for the variability we inevitably see from renewable energy. Renewable energy only works when the wind blows or the sun shines,” de Ruyter explained.
“Eskom’s own modelling indicates that a shift to renewables will require dispatchable power to ensure system stability – and that can be provided from gas” said de Ruyter. He added that Eskom anticipates an investment in 3 000MW to 6 000MW of gas-fired generation we will be able to achieve system stability. The gas supply must preferably come from local sources to mitigate the risks of international supply and price volatility.
There is currently 3000MW of new build gas power generation allocated in South Africa’s integrated resource plan (IRP).
Related news: South Africa’s IRP glaring omission – green hydrogen power
Also speaking at the event, the chief director of energy planning at the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), Thabang Audat, echoed de Ruyters sentiment that gas must be sourced locally. “South Africa is seeking gas from the Southern African Development Community region and local indigenous gas sources.” He added that there are also expectations that Total Energies exploration block 11B/12B or the Brulpadda find off the east coast, will start yielding gas by 2027.
Total Energies was forced to call force majuer in April last year at their mega upstream gas project because of ongoing rebel group attacks in the Copa Delgado area. Read more
Image credit: Enlit Africa 2022
The Enlit Africa 2022 conference and exhibition has attracted event attendees and exhibitors from far and wide. There is something for everyone who is a stakeholder in Africa’s energy sector, both public and private. There is still one day to go. Register to attend the exhibition HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
