South Africa emergency energy storage power supply

Does South Africa have a power system?

South Africa is caught in an energy bind. From sunlight to wind and biomass, the country has an abundance of resources to generate renewable energy. But the nation’s power system is still largely reliant on fossil-fuel power plants, with scheduled power outages being the norm — until recently.

How can South Africa tackle its energy crisis?

The country can tackle its energy crisis by diversifying its energy sources, using storage systems and continually optimizing its grid. Donah Simiyu is an energy engineer and researcher at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in Pretoria, South Africa. South Africa is caught in an energy bind.

Does South Africa have pumped electricity?

“It offers reliable, flexible, and low-carbon electricity,” wrote Van Dijk. Currently, South Africa has four major pumped storage schemes: the Drakensberg, Palmiet, Ingula and Steenbras. These facilities help stabilise the grid by storing surplus energy during low demand and releasing it during peak periods.

What happened to South Africa's power supply in 2023?

Since 2019, these outages have escalated to the point that, in 2023, power was unavailable to South Africa’s population for 78% of the year (see go.nature.com/3szorvd). People and businesses have been hit hard.

Why did Eskom stop load shedding in South Africa?

In the run-up to the country’s elections in May, Eskom, the state-owned power company that supplies almost 80% of South Africa’s electricity, stopped load shedding — the practice of scheduling outages, each lasting several hours, to lessen demand on the country’s ageing energy infrastructure.

Could solar power save South Africa's OCGTs?

“With sufficient solar energy feeding into the grid, Eskom could replenish its reserves more effectively, minimising the overuse of costly diesel-fired OCGTs. Unless Eskom improves its ability to balance supply and demand strategically, South Africa may continue to face abrupt and severe load-shedding episodes,” he warns.