The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have found that renewable energy assisted in relieving pressure on the constrained South African power system during load shedding in the first quarter of 2019.

With South Africa needing to resort to up to stage 4 load shedding in the first quarter of 2019 (Q1-2019), variable renewable energy (VRE) contributed valuable energy and assisted in avoiding further load shedding. This is according to the results of a new analysis released by the CSIR today.  There is clear significant economic value for businesses and government in avoiding further loadshedding in addition to the inconvenience factor of loadshedding for households.

The country experienced the most intensive period of load shedding yet in Q1-2019, with 769 GWh of load shed (1.3% of system demand), 595 GWh of which was shed in March 2019 alone. This is significant when compared to the 1 325 GWh of load shed throughout the entire 2015.

CSIR Principal Engineer Dr Jarrad Wright says, “During load shedding periods, VRE contributed 357 GWh from VRE in Q1-2019. This is significant and shows that there is real value in having this capacity producing during these periods of shortage”.

Overall, VRE contributed 2 975 GWh (5.3% of system demand) in Q1-2019 with instantaneous contributions during load shedding periods being up to 2.3 GW, while averaging 1.3 GW. “Without VRE, we may have needed to envoke stage 5 and 6 load shedding,” Wright comments.

Enquiries:

David Mandaha: CSIR Media Relations Manager
Tel: 072 126 8910/012 841 3654
Email: dmandaha@csir.co.za