In a concerted effort to revamp its struggling energy sector, South Africa has embarked on a series of agreements with China. These encompass a range of initiatives, notably the enhancement of its nuclear power plant. The aim is to address the pressing energy crisis that has been impeding the nation's economy.

As per reports, a series of agreements have been successfully concluded between South Africa and Chinese power companies on the sidelines of the BRICS summit hosted in South Africa. These agreements hold provisions for the enhancement of the electricity transmission and distribution network within the southern African nation.

Following the signing of these significant deals, Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa emphasized the nation's determination to proceed with rapid momentum. "We are moving at the speed of the fastest, we are not going to move at the speed of the slowest," Ramokgopa stated, underlining the urgency behind these collaborations.

China's prowess in power transmission grid networks, generation capacity, and renewable energy infrastructure has set global benchmarks. Ramokgopa highlighted South Africa's aspiration to learn from China's remarkable expertise, as these attributes have been established within a remarkably short span of time.

South Africa's power utility, Eskom, has been grappling with a substantial power supply shortfall of approximately 4,000 megawatts (MW), constituting a tenth of its total installed capacity. This shortfall has led to unprecedented power outages. The country's transmission capacity is heavily restricted, inhibiting the integration of alternative power sources.

Additionally, the distribution infrastructure, comprised of transformers and substations that supply households, is prone to frequent breakdowns, resulting in prolonged power outages.

Ramokgopa disclosed that China's collaboration extends to various facets. This includes extending the operational life of Eskom's coal-fired power plants, providing cost-effective technology to mitigate emissions, potentially establishing transformer and solar PV panel manufacturing facilities, and aiding in the upgrade of South Africa's nuclear power plant.

During the summit, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that China and South Africa's primary trading partner is set to contribute emergency power equipment worth 167 million rand ($8.9 million) and a grant of approximately 500 million rand to bolster the power sector. However, specific timelines for these contributions were not provided.

Image source: DFA