It will take Eskom seven years to resolve all network constraints and achieve the network redundancy levels required by the South African grid code, Eskom CEO Brian Molefe said on Friday.
Eskom will spend R213bn between 2016 and 2025 on strengthening and developing its transmission network, said Molefe, who was addressing a public forum on Eskom’s transmission plan.
He said that as part of the transmission development plan, Eskom would increase transmission infrastructure by about 10 000 km of high voltage lines in 10 years.
“This is part of our commitment to capital expenditure and why Eskom currently has one of the largest capital investment projects in the country. This investment is R6bn of the R55bn earmarked for the current financial year,” Molefe said.
Eskom will be compliant with the minimum network redundancy requirements of the grid code in 2022, a consequence of the power utility’s current funding gap of R280bn. As a result, Eskom has deferred some of its transmission investments.
“We have made some adjustments the transmission development plan, including re-phasing of the capital investment in transmission projects, to align with the current available funding,” said Molefe.
Molefe said the utility is working to close the funding gap. — Fin24