By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Eskom has launched three programmes to procure more than 1 000 MW for the national grid, which will initially focus on generators capable of supplying more than 1 MW to the grid.
The aim is to sign the first power supply agreement during the course of the current week and for the power to start flowing through the grid as soon as possible.
Eskom mentioned that it would seek to procure up to 1000 MW of surplus electricity that it believed could be immediately available from existing independent power producers (IPPs) and large companies with their own generation capacity.
The power utility was granted the green light to procure at least 1 000MW of energy to add onto the grid following the load shedding crisis over the past three months.
“Initially, the programmes will focus on generators capable of supplying more than one megawatt to the grid. Over time, the threshold will be lowered to enable smaller producers to participate.
The three programmes are the Standard Offer Programme, the Emergency Generator Programme and the Bilateral Power Import Programme.
“The Standard Offer approach allows Eskom to purchase electricity at an established price, calculated at the avoided cost of own generation, including long-term energy purchases from Independent Power Producers.
“The Emergency Generator Programme [is] to procure more expensive power during periods when the grid is significantly constrained. The programme allows for independent generators to provide energy daily to compete with Eskom generators in the internal market.
“The Bilateral Power Import Programme [is] to secure imports of power to the country from neighbouring countries. Several countries have expressed an interest in selling additional surplus power to South Africa. The programme will provide a mechanism to access such opportunities,” Eskom said.
Eskom is already importing electricity from some of its neighbours via the Southern African Power Pool – an average 200 MW that is being used to augment Eskom generation capacity when the grid is constrained, it added.