NERSA Error Forces Steeper Electricity Price Hikes for South Africans in 2026 and 2027
Economy
4days ago
The Transmission Test: Can SA's Grid Unbundle Power a Renewable Future?
By Globalza
With the National Transmission Company's launch delayed, experts warn SA risks missing its green energy targets.
Unbundling Timeline
Minister Ramokgopa confirmed the National Transmission Company (NTC) remains an Eskom subsidiary, with full independence delayed by 8-12 months due to:
- Global CEO hunt: No suitable candidate found for the new entity
- Legacy systems: Aging infrastructure complicates separation
- Investor jitters: IPPs await clarity on grid access rules
Renewables Bottleneck
SA has 5,000MW of approved solar/wind projects stalled by:
- Grid capacity limits in sun-rich Northern Cape
- Lack of wheeling agreements
- NTC's transitional governance vacuum
Model Comparison
Country - Unbundle Year - Renewables Growth
India ---- 2015 ----- 72GW solar since
Brazil-----1999-------84% clean energy
SA--------2026-------6GW backlog
Ramokgopa insists delays ensure 'a transmission system fit for Africa's just transition.'
