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Integrated Resource Plan

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is South Africa's national electricity infrastructure planning framework, setting out the country's long-term generation capacity requirements and the optimal mix of energy sources to meet projected demand. Prepared and updated by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the IRP provides a roadmap for new power-station construction, decommissioning schedules and the integration of renewable energy, gas, coal and nuclear technologies. It is intended to balance energy security, economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and social considerations. The plan is revised periodically to reflect changes in demand forecasts, technology costs, policy priorities and the performance of the existing fleet. The most recent iteration, IRP 2019, envisages a significant shift towards renewable energy, with allocations for solar photovoltaic, wind, battery storage and gas-to-power capacity, alongside the phased retirement of ageing coal-fired power stations. The IRP serves as the basis for procurement programmes such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme and guides investment decisions by Eskom, independent power producers and private developers. It is a key instrument in South Africa's energy transition and decarbonisation strategy. The plan has been subject to public consultation and debate, reflecting diverse stakeholder interests in the electricity sector. The IRP was first promulgated in 2010 and has undergone several updates to adapt to evolving energy and economic conditions.

Integrated Resource Plan Updates


Zululand Energy Terminal director Oliver Naidu
Eskom signs agreement with Zululand Energy Terminal as it seeks to advance 3 GW Richards Bay gas-fired power project
5th June 2026 By: Terence Creamer

Eskom has signed heads of agreement with Zululand Energy Terminal (ZET) with the intention of becoming the ‘foundation customer’ for the liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal that ZET intends... 


Magazine cover image
Necsa outlines plans for rejuvenating South Africa’s nuclear sector
5th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), the State-owned company responsible for nuclear research and technology development, as well as the provision of nuclear applications and... 


Magazine cover image
Necsa outlines plans for rejuvenating South Africa’s nuclear sector
5th June 2026 By: Rebecca Campbell

The South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (Necsa), the State-owned company responsible for nuclear research and technology development, as well as the provision of nuclear applications and... 


Transport Minister Babara Creecy speaking at the signing of the terminal operator agreement between TNPA and Ukwanda LNG.
TNPA signs 25-year LNG terminal agreement for Port of Ngqura
28th May 2026 By: Terence Creamer

South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has signed a 25-year terminal operator agreement with Ukwanda LNG, to develop an onshore liquefied natural gas (LNG) regasification facility... 


Pan African Resources Evader solar farm.
Eskom confident of meeting winter demand, Minerals Council South Africa indicates
10th April 2026 By: Martin Creamer

Amid the expectation of Eskom publishing its winter outlook later this month, the State-owned power utility has meanwhile expressed confidence that it will be able to meet electricity demand as... 


CSIR, Eskom, SANEDI, Coaltech launch HELE CFB Localisation Programme
CSIR, Eskom, SANEDI, Coaltech launch HELE CFB Localisation Programme
1st April 2026 By: Sabrina Jardim

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), State-owned power utility Eskom, the South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) and the Coaltech Research Association... 


An image of Sanedi CEO Dr Titus Mathe
Sanedi, Ramokgopa call for scientific collaboration to underpin energy planning
24th February 2026 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

South Africa’s pursuit of energy security and the correct energy mix must be hinged on science-based policy, and government must take on a leading role, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr... 


New dashboard confirms strong pipeline of advanced grid-connected projects
New dashboard confirms strong pipeline of advanced grid-connected projects
26th January 2026 By: Terence Creamer

A total of 332 generation and storage projects with a combined nameplate of 31.7 GW have either received budget quotes for grid connection in South Africa or have budget-quote applications pending... 


Why S African megaprojects need independent sounding boards
Why S African megaprojects need independent sounding boards
7th January 2026

After R300-billion in cost overruns at State-owned utility Eskom’s Medupi and Kusile power stations, South Africa's megaproject governance model requires fundamental reform. 


Eskom CEO Dan Marokane
Marokane wants South Africa’s grid plan to be coupled to larger regional plan
5th December 2025 By: Terence Creamer

Eskom CEO Dan Marokane has called for South Africa’s Transmission Development Plan (TDP) to be complemented by a “regional TDP” to support the development of the grid infrastructure required to... 


IGUA-SA executive officer Jaco Human
Industrial gas users call for Presidency-led intervention to avert ‘gas cliff’
28th November 2025 By: Terence Creamer

The Industrial Gas Users Association–South Africa (IGUA-SA) is calling for the creation of a new structure under The Presidency to coordinate the actions needed to avert the ‘gas cliff’ faced by... 


An image of the Vunumoya MTS
Seriti Green hands Vunumoya Main Transmission Station over to Eskom
27th November 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Renewable-energy developer Seriti Green on November 26 officially handed over the Vunumoya Main Transmission Station (MTS) to State-owned power utility Eskom. The infrastructure will now become an... 


The Ankerlig OCGT plant
PIC approves landmark gas strategy to power South Africa’s energy transition
27th November 2025 By: Creamer Media Reporter

Fund manager the Public Investment Corporation (PIC) has approved a landmark Strategy on Natural Gas, marking a pivotal step towards bolstering South Africa's energy security and accelerating the... 


Power lines
South Africa unpacks big pricing and load factor changes to inaugural gas-to-power procurement
26th November 2025 By: Terence Creamer

Significant amendments to the request for proposal (RFP) documentation for South Africa’s much-delayed procurement of 2 000 MW of gas-to-power capacity have been unpacked, including an updated fuel... 


Industry calls for minimum local-content specifications in private grid projects
Industry calls for minimum local-content specifications in private grid projects
21st November 2025 By: Terence Creamer

Following consultations with the Department of Energy and Electricity (DEE) on an initiative to procure new grid infrastructure from private consortiums, local Industry has again urged government... 


SAPVIA welcomes R2bn electricity transmission expansion facility
13th November 2025 By: Schalk Burger

Industry organisation the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) says the announcement of a R2-billion Credit Guarantee Vehicle specifically for the expansion of South Africa’s... 


An image of the power station
Eskom celebrates Koeberg Unit 2’s 40 years of commercial operation
10th November 2025 By: Sabrina Jardim

Power utility Eskom on November 9 celebrated the 40-year anniversary of Unit 2 at the Koeberg nuclear power station. Koeberg Unit 2 entered commercial operation on November 9, 1985, with Eskom... 


PBMR to be lifted from care and maintenance by Q1 2026
7th November 2025 By: Irma Venter

The process to lift South Africa’s dormant pebble-bed modular reactor (PBMR) project from care and maintenance is at an advanced stage, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The... 


Photo of Terence Creamer
Head spinning
7th November 2025 By: Terence Creamer

Given the many moving parts in play currently within the electricity industry, there is a real risk of becoming distracted from what is truly important. Developments over the past few months alone... 


hand rolling dice that say fossil/green energy
PCC welcomes release of South Africa’s updated energy, climate plans
4th November 2025 By: Darren Parker

The Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has welcomed government’s recent approval and release of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 and the revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC)... 


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