Cape town: A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to establish a two-year, peer-to-peer technical cooperation programme has been signed by Eskom, RTE International, the Agence fran§aise de d©veloppement (AFD), and the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA). This initiative aims to bolster South Africa's power grid as the country undergoes significant energy sector reforms.
According to South African Government News Agency, the MoU was signed on the sidelines of the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town, supported by a EUR 650,000 (ZAR 12 million) grant from AFD, financed by the French National Treasury. AFD plays a pivotal role in advancing France's policy on sustainable investment and international solidarity. The parties involved have highlighted the imminent challenges the South African transmission grid will face due to the integration of renewable energy sources and new load flow patterns.
The collaboration seeks to enhance the grid's resilience, flexibility, and capacity, aligning with the objectives of the Just Energy Transition partnership (JETP). Strengthening the South African transmission grid is a priority for the French government, reflecting their commitment to supporting the country's energy transition.
Eskom's Chief Financial Officer, Calib Cassim, emphasized the significance of this partnership in advancing South Africa's transmission capabilities amid evolving electricity sector dynamics. The collaboration provides Eskom and NTCSA access to international technical expertise and shared learning opportunities, crucial for building a modern and resilient grid.
The partnership between French and South African electricity transmission operators will facilitate knowledge transfer and technical cooperation. Experts from RTE International and NTCSA will engage in workshops, study tours, research projects, and pilot initiatives focusing on renewable energy integration, system stability, artificial intelligence, machine learning, advanced analytics, high voltage direct current power transmission, and telecommunications.
Monde Bala, NTCSA's Chief Executive Officer, highlighted the importance of this agreement in enabling a focused exchange of expertise. The collaboration aims to modernize systems, expand the grid, and integrate renewable energy, ensuring long-term security of supply.
RTE International, a leading European consulting and engineering firm, will play a crucial role in this cooperation. The phased implementation approach will be tailored to NTCSA's specific needs, promoting strong ownership by NTCSA teams throughout the process.
AFD expressed pride in supporting this cooperation between major transmission network operators in Africa and Europe. Nicolas Willemin, AFD's Deputy Regional Director for Southern Africa, noted the opportunity to share best practices and develop tailored interventions to enhance each operator's capabilities.
Veronika Milewski, CEO of RTE International, emphasized the value of technical cooperation and operational experience exchange between system operators, especially as South Africa undertakes significant electricity sector reforms. The MoU represents an important step in building a resilient, efficient, and sustainable power system.