In the latest renewable energy monitoring report for the first half of 2024 by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), Report on monitoring performance of renewable energy power plants, the regulator notes a sharp increase in energy curtailment.

According to the report,19.90 GWh of energy was curtailed from January to June 2024 – up from 4 606 MWh in the same period of 2023. This increase illustrates the country’s ongoing need for grid infrastructure upgrades and more flexible energy solutions.

Curtailment was primarily during late night to early morning hours. Analysis of data from IPP invoices indicates total energy curtailed resulted in R46.2 million of deemed energy payment to 40 IPPs.

The report also documents steady growth in energy contributions from wind and solar sources. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme connected 6 330 MW of renewable energy capacity by June 2024 from 92 IPPs and three risk mitigation IPP power plants. Of this installed capacity, 6 299 MW was in commercial operation.

While wind and solar technologies remain the most dominant contributors, concentrated solar power has emerged as a key element, contributing 611 GWh and proving valuable for its ability to provide energy during peak demand periods.

Renewable energy projects contributed a total of 8 397 GWh to the grid in the first half of 2024 – a slight increase from the 8 346 GWh generated in the same period of 2023.