A major development aimed at strengthening South Africa’s electricity infrastructure was announced at the Africa Energy Forum held in Cape Town. Eskom, the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA), RTE International, and the Agence française de développement (AFD) signed a partnership agreement to support the modernization of the country’s power transmission network.
The agreement establishes a two-year technical cooperation programme between NTCSA and RTE International, the international subsidiary of France’s electricity transmission operator. The initiative is supported by a grant of EUR 650,000, equivalent to around ZAR 12 million, provided by the AFD and funded by the French National Treasury. The programme forms part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), which seeks to support South Africa’s transition toward a cleaner and more sustainable energy .
South Africa’s electricity sector is undergoing significant transformation as the country increases the use of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power. While these energy sources are essential for reducing carbon emissions, they also introduce new challenges for the transmission network, including changing load patterns and grid stability requirements.
To address these challenges, the partnership will focus on sharing technical expertise and practical experience between the two countries. The programme aims to help South Africa develop a more flexible, reliable, and resilient transmission grid capable of supporting future energy demands.
The cooperation will be carried out in several phases designed to meet local requirements. Activities will include joint research projects, technical workshops, and study visits involving experts from both countries. Key areas of collaboration will include advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission systems, advanced analytics, and power system stability.
Eskom Chief Financial Officer Calib Cassim said that international expertise would play an important role in building a modern transmission network and ensuring long-term energy security. NTCSA Chief Executive Officer Monde Bala emphasized that maintaining grid reliability remains a top priority and that the partnership would contribute directly to the expansion and modernization of the country’s transmission infrastructure.
Representatives from the French partners also welcomed the collaboration. AFD’s Nicolas Willemin highlighted the value of bringing together leading transmission operators from Africa and Europe to exchange knowledge and best practices. RTE international CEO Veronika Milewski stated that the company’s extensive experience in power system operations would help support South Africa’s efforts to build a more sustainable and efficient electricity network.
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