Question NW275 to the Minister of Energy
08 April 2016 - NW275
Carter, Ms D to ask the Minister of Energy
Whether her department launched any new programme or initiatives to substantially intensify the generation of solar energy to enable Eskom to stop using expensive diesel in its open-cycle turbines during daylight hours when solar radiation was available for tapping; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
Reply:
Since the advent of load shedding and the creation of the war room in 2014, the DoE commissioned a study in conjunction with the CSIR to quantify the extent of the cost savings emanating from the deployment of renewable energy technology, including solar, in the place of diesel and this was estimated at R3.6bn.
The DoE made a proposal to accelerate the cheaper alternative of using solar technology to replace diesel-fired power generation. This alternative is based on the generation of solar energy using solar plants that have been procured under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP). The DoE further made a determination under Section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act to procure additional solar generation capacity through an expedited procurement process given that there was evidence that this option would assist in reducing the cost of generation of diesel fired turbines, especially during peak periods.
The process for the expedited procurement of an addition 1800MW of solar power generation was concluded under the REIPPP with bid submissions closing on 11 November 2015. The commissioning of these power stations is expected within two years and it can therefore be expected that less and less diesel will be required during periods when solar power is generated.