Question NW2202 to the Minister in The Presidency for Electricity

Reply:

1. The short-term measures include the following:

• 1. Eskom has completed the engineering planning and identified and scoped the relevant infrastructure projects that will enable connection of new generation in line with the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and bid windows to come.
  2. Eskom has allocated a capital budget of R74.21 billion to the Transmission Division over the financial years 2024 to 2028. This is an increase from the previous figure of R59.9 billion and shows an appreciation for the urgent need to close the Transmission infrastructure gap.
  3. Eskom has embarked on various other measures to give some certainty that the projects will be delivered, such as reviewing manpower numbers, reviewing equipment supply, and looking at project development and construction capability.
  4. The recently established Energy NATJOINTS Workstream 10 is monitoring this programme closely and escalating matters that require unblocking, such as environmental approvals and rights of way approvals.
  5. Over and above these measures, Eskom is developing standard operating procedures to adopt best practices in network modelling that will allow for more renewable energy to be connected to existing infrastructure in exchange for moderate curtailment. This will be quicker than constructing new power lines and substations. 

(2) what are the relevant details of the kind of models and solutions for transmission build-outs that have been developed for (a) maintenance and upgrades and (b) new builds?

REPLY

For maintenance and upgrades, Eskom uses a combination of outsourced and in-house capabilities, providing services such as servitude, transformer, and switchgear maintenance.

Eskom’s Enterprises business is geared up for some of this specialised work.

(2)(b)

For new build:

• The same as the above applies, even though the volume of in-house is much smaller.
• Eskom will use a combination of the multiple package system (engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCM)). Contracts for these services already exist.
• Eskom will use the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) methodology, sometimes called “turnkey”. This method is expected to reduce the administrative burden of multiple procurement and project management. One contract for these services has been issued to the market, and a second one is in the preparation stage.
• Eskom will also use the owner’s engineer (OE) method of project development and project management. A contract for these services is under evaluation