100MW amendment will reduce the risk of load shedding
Eskom has welcomed the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy's move allowing the operation of a generation facility with a capacity of up to 100MW without obtaining a licence from the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa).
The power utility believes the move will help reduce the risk of load shedding over time.
Minister Gwede Mantashe gazetted the amendment on Thursday.
"This is a progressive step that will - over time - greatly assist in the effort to provide reliable and sufficient electricity for the economy while creating space for Eskom to conduct much-needed repairs on its infrastructure," said Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha.
Eskom's generating units continue to go offline for planned maintenance which leaves the power system constrained and implements loadshedding and load reduction.
Mantshantsha says this move will assist.
"Customer-funded capacity alongside the contribution by independent power producers will greatly assist in addressing the immediate supply/demand gap and reduce the risk of load shedding over time. This amendment, together with Eskom’s own efforts to repurpose and repower our aging power stations, will assist to reduce South Africa’s electricity supply gap," he said.
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