Africa-Press – South-Africa. To curb the effects of rolling blackouts in Pretoria and to lessen its reliance on the failing state-run power producer, the City of Tshwane is now planning to procure and generate at least 1 000 megawatts of power independent of Eskom.
Earlier this year, during the State of the City Address, Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink said that if the City doesn’t produce or procure its own electricity soon, it will be in serious trouble.
“Every day rolling blackouts make us poorer, degrade our infrastructure and chip away at our funding model for local government,” Brink said during a briefing at the Rooiwal power station on Monday.
“Last year, Tshwane made a loss in excess of R2 billion in the sale of electricity.”
Brink said the plan was for the City to procure and generate at least 1 000MW in the next three years, which would have a significant impact on its reliance on Eskom.
Currently, the City uses around 2 600MW.
The City has set up an energy task team to look at, among others, the possibility of revitalising two stagnant power stations – Rooiwal and Pretoria West – which belong to the city.
Last week, the council approved a public participation process on the possibility of leasing the two power stations to independent operators.
The power stations have been idle since around 2012/2013.
Brink added that the City would also be soliciting requests for information on independent clean energy generation.
Brink said the Rooiwal may be able to produce anywhere between 150 and 300MW.
The mayor explained that the City does not have the money or the creditworthiness in the market to upgrade and manage the power stations itself, which is why partnerships with the private sector will be key.
Brink said:
Once the public participation process is wrapped up and the council gives the green light, the City will then issue requests for proposals and requests for information.
“We have tried complete dependence on the state for the supply of electricity, and state capacity is collapsing. We have no option as a country but to invite the most competitive, fair and cost-effective proposals from the private sector,” Brink said.
And if Eskom and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) reject the City’s decision to offset electricity generation by private partners, the City would fight back, he added.
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