State-owned Eskom’s distribution business has launched another microgrid, this time at Swartkopdam, about 150 km from Upington, in the Northern Cape.  

Microgrids are capable of electrifying geographically challenging areas that are either difficult to access or that would require extensive capital expenditure. 

The microgrid technology at Swartkopdam will provide electricity access to 39 households. The electricity networks in the area are constrained and cannot feasibly be extended and connected to the area. 

The installation of the microgrid at Swartkopdam follows successful installations of two pilot microgrid projects at Lynedoch, in the Western Cape, and Ficksburg, in the Free State. 

Swartkopdam was identified by Eskom Distribution as one of the high-priority areas in need of electricity supply, owing to the remoteness of the area, which also has critical facilities embedded in the grid.  

The microgrid, with battery energy storage capability developed by Eskom Research, Testing and Development (RT&D), was considered the most suitable solution to provide electricity for the area. 

A conventional solution considered was to connect Swartkopdam by building a 200 km 132 kV transmission line from the Gordonia substation and establishing a Noenieput substation at Noenieput, which was estimated to cost R250-million. This option was found to be too expensive and was, therefore, not pursued. 

“The deployment of the microgrid at Swartkopdam serves as a proof of concept in installing microgrids in remote areas which are difficult to reach or expensive to electrify through the conventional means of electrification.  

“Eskom plans to roll out about 100 microgrids across the country by the end March 2024 as part of the distribution business strategy. We will continue to close the gap of energy poverty by giving everyone a life-changing experience of having electricity,” Eskom Distribution group executive Monde Bala says. 

Apart from the microgrids being cheaper to install in remote areas, they also contribute to reducing carbon emissions because they use renewable energy sources. 

“Through innovation and collaborative partnerships, Eskom is able to provide clean and reliable electricity to the people of Swartkopdam,” Eskom chairperson Mpho Makwana says. 

In addition to the installation of the microgrid, Eskom donated two mobile containers and recreational equipment to the Swartkopdam Primary School.