The current capacity constraints in Eskom’s transmission system can, to a degree, be countered by a focus on microgrids, says Western Cape premier Alan Winde.
Speaking at Windaba Connect in Cape Town, he noted that it could “take years” for the national grid to be able to move the large number of gigawatts required to end loadshedding.
One opportunity that existed while Eskom and national government were trying to expand the grid, was to build small, decentralised power systems feeding directly into nearby communities and municipalities.
Similar to Germany, these grids can be owned by those communities, which can then sell their surplus power to neighbouring municipalities or communities.
“The model can be changed…we need to enable smaller power projects…that is the opportunity of now,” said Winde. “We have to change our thinking.”
He said it could, for example, be possible to add two of three wind turbines to existing wind farms – turbines that belonged to a town and its community – with the benefit that that wind farm already has all of the required environmental approvals in place.
Setting up such microgrids, would, however, require the involvement of the private sector.