Against the backdrop of South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis, the African Energy Chamber (AEC) has recently published a comprehensive report on the country’s energy sector. The report, The State of South African Energy, offers a consolidated overview of the entire electricity market in South Africa, covering everything from consumption to generation to financing. It aims to guide investors and project developers who are interested in exploring the immense opportunities available in the country’s energy sector. By highlighting the current challenges and upcoming opportunities in the power generation, renewable, and hydrocarbon markets, the report is an essential resource for anyone looking to invest in South Africa’s energy sector.
South Africa is currently facing an economically challenging energy situation, as reflected by the report. In 2022, the country witnessed record-breaking electricity outages, with a 300% increase in outage hours compared to the previous year. Presently, South Africa experiences between 4.5 to 6 hours of load shedding per day, with Stage 3 (allowing for 3 GW of the national load to be shed with outages implemented 18 hours over a four-day period) or Stage 4 (allowing for 4 GW to be shed with outages implemented 24 hours) being the most common stages of outages implemented.
However, despite the challenges, the report also identifies several promising developments in the power generation sector that are expected to help South Africa overcome its energy crisis. These include the Independent Power Producer (IPP) program, which has already contributed more than 5,200 MW of renewable energy capacity to the grid since 2011. Furthermore, the report notes that several significant renewable energy projects are currently underway, with the potential to generate up to 16,000 MW of power. In addition, the report also highlights the promising future of the hydrocarbon market, with the country’s gas reserves expected to grow significantly in the coming years.
As per the AEC’s report on South African energy, coal continues to dominate as the primary energy source in the country, accounting for 54% of consumption in 2022, with projections to reach 55% in 2025 before dropping to 50% in 2030. The report anticipates that steady industrial and residential demand will persist in the long-term, while solar, wind, natural gas, and nuclear will drive supply. Electricity remains the prime focus for funding, with the private sector expected to provide the majority of financing required. The report estimates that there will be up to $43.2 billion in power infrastructure needs between 2023 and 2027, presenting enormous opportunities for investors.
Moreover, the report delves into the state of South Africa’s renewable energy sector, predicting that solar and wind will continue to contribute to the majority of the capacity in 2023 and beyond. By 2030, the country is expected to have approximately 18 GW of hydrogen electrolysers, 16.2 GW of pumped storage, 16 GW of battery, 15 GW of solar thermal, 14.5 GW of solar, 8 GW of onshore wind, and 3 GW of storage contributing to capacity. At present, only 45% of the existing installed capacity is operational, revealing a vast untapped potential for green energy players in South Africa’s renewable sector.
The AEC’s State of South African Energy Report not only provides insights into the renewable energy sector but also analyzes the country’s natural gas market, identifying trends in exploration and production. Presently, South Africa relies heavily on imports, and the report suggests that this trend will continue unless large-scale discoveries are made. The Brulpadda and Luiperd discoveries have the potential to support current and future gas-to-power projects, representing 20% of the total African discovered volumes in 2019-2020. With the majority of the Block yet to be explored, the report emphasizes that there are ample opportunities for exploration.
As South Africa grapples with an energy crisis, the report aims to offer not only a detailed overview of the energy sector but also a roadmap for how the country can address the crisis. Covering critical areas such as power generation, renewable energies, natural gas, and investment, the report provides a comprehensive guide for investors interested in South Africa’s energy sector. According to NJ Ayuk, the Executive Chairman of the AEC, the report brings clarity and a deeper understanding of the South African power market.
Overall, the AEC’s State of South African Energy Report provides valuable insights into the country’s energy sector, offering a detailed analysis of the power market, renewable energies, natural gas, and investment opportunities. By providing a roadmap for addressing South Africa’s energy crisis, the report serves as an essential resource for investors looking to explore the potential of the South African energy sector.
You can obtain a copy of the report at this link.
Centurion Plus
Are you an entrepreneur, a start-up or a SME with the goal to start up between or in Africa and Germany? Then our team will happily assist you on the legal side! We are specialized both in supporting multicultural businesses in Germany, in supporting African businesses in Germany and in supporting businesses across various African jurisdictions. While our support starts with providing help on immigration and relocation matters, it does not stop there – taxes, tech, intellectual property…You heard us! Contact us today to find out more!
