A stable and reliable transmission network is the backbone of any modern energy system, connecting producers to consumers, balancing supply and demand, and enabling the integration of new technologies. South Africa’s grid, historically built to support coal-fired power generation, is under pressure to evolve rapidly.
As the country accelerates its shift to renewables, grid constraints have emerged as one of the most formidable barriers to progress. Scaling up transmission investment has become a national imperative.
Global challenge, local opportunity
Grid constraints are being encountered around the world. Mature markets such as Germany, the UK, and the US continue to grapple with transmission bottlenecks and the broader complexities of integrating variable renewable energy into the transmission network. South Africa’s challenge is more structural: yes, the grid is constrained, and for the wind energy sector, it is geographically misaligned with the country’s richest wind resource areas.
If South Africa hopes to meet its ambitions on energy security, universal electricity access, and transitioning to a greener economy, it needs to prioritise anticipatory planning and regulatory reform. This includes incentivising grid investments that align with national energy policy priorities and contribute to long-term system resilience. Unlocking high-potential regions such as the Eastern, Northern, and Western Cape will require bold investment in new transmission corridors and regional reinforcements.
Vincent Kok, Senior Technical Advisor at SAWEA, says, “Grid expansion and congestion in South Africa can be addressed through the deployment of advanced grid optimisation technologies, improved visibility of available transmission and distribution capacity, and the development of enabling regulatory frameworks. Clear and consistent market signals, particularly around pricing and access, will be essential to unlock greater flexibility from energy users, independent producers, and storage systems connected to the grid.”
These measures will pave the way for new investment in areas rich in renewable energy potential. Encouragingly, government has already provided positive market indicators through swift policy and regulatory interventions that could unlock grid investment.
Laying the groundwork
Recognising the urgent need to address grid congestion, the government has launched several medium- and long-term measures:
- The Independent Transmission Projects Programme responds to the need to build 14 500 km of transmission lines and 133 000 MVA of transformer capacity by 2034
- The Integrated Transmission Plans (ITPs), supported by Electricity Transmission Infrastructure Regulations, are currently in their draft form
- Congestion Curtailment Frameworks are designed to improve grid use and enable the integration of more renewable energy while longer-term transmission build is underway.
“Resolving grid constraints is about expansion and – at the same time – it’s about innovation,” adds Kok. “South Africa needs to embrace a diversified grid strategy that aligns with national planning instruments such as the anticipated IRP2025.
Insights from the 2024 South African Renewable Energy Grid Survey (SAREGS) revealed that more than 60 GW of renewable energy is ready to come online within the next three to five years - a clear signal that the country needs to deploy alternative grid solutions.
What should be on the table?
Among the key grid solutions South Africa needs to explore are:
- Utility-scale on-grid projects – these are central to meeting national energy targets
- Off-grid systems – serving farms, mines, and rural communities with independent power
- Hybrid systems – combining wind, solar, and storage to enhance reliability and mitigate intermittency
- Embedded generation – supporting decentralised supply for commercial and industrial users
- Microgrids and virtual power plants (VPPs) – offering resilience, flexibility, and localised control.
“Resolving grid constraints is a precondition for achieving our renewable energy targets,” Kok emphasises.
The solutions require collective vision and alignment. Conversations need to happen across the value chain, with policymakers, utilities, developers, financiers, and civil society, to agree on feasible, innovative approaches that reflect South Africa’s energy landscape.
Windaba 2025: a platform for progress
Hosted by the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) and set to take place from 21 to 23 October at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Windaba 2025 will be the platform where these critical issues are addressed. Under the theme ‘Break the Gridlock! Wire for Growth!’, the conference will unite all key stakeholders to explore how South Africa can build a resilient, future-ready grid that supports the pace and scale of wind energy deployment needed for the energy transition.
Windaba 2025 will look beyond the problems and focus on practical, actionable solutions that position wind energy as a driver of decarbonisation and a catalyst for inclusive growth. With the right focus and decisive action, South Africa’s wind industry can be wired for growth.
For more information visit: https://sawea.org.za/windaba