Stories about electricity supply shortages in South Africa have become a fairly regular feature in the country’s news, and the opening weeks of 2012 showed no deviation from this trend, especially with demand expected to continue its upward trajectory. The country’s key electricity planning document, the Integrated Resource Plan 2010 (IRP2010), which is a living document that is expected to be continuously revised and updated, forecasts demand of 67 809 MW in 2030 and outlines a programme of developments to bring supply to 89 532 MW at that time, ensuring that supply is in excess of demand.

The breakdown of how this generation capacity will be achieved, as envisaged by the IRP2010, will see a shift in the structure of South Africa’s electricity generation sector such that, while State-owned power utility Eskom will continue to be the country’s dominant supplier of electricity, independent power producers (IPPs) will play a greater role in the market than is currently the case. In fact, the policy-adjusted IRP seems to perceive IPPs as central to diversifying South Africa’s coal-heavy energy mix. This report in addition to discussing the role of IPPs in South Africa's future power generation mix, examines South Africa's electricity industry and issues such as the current state of the country's electricity generation, transmission and distribution, as well as investment in generation capacity.

To purchase a copy of the report, click here.