To achieve its ambition to secure 1 000 MW of energy independent of Eskom by 2026, the City of Tshwane plans to use a mixture of energy sources, including recommissioning the Rooiwal and Pretoria West power stations.

The city shared its plans at the inaugural Tshwane Energy Summit 2024 at the SunBet Arena, Times Square, in Pretoria from June 19 to 20.  

The Rooiwal power station is expected to generate 300 MW, the Pretoria West power station 180 MW and the remaining 520 MW will be generated by alternative sources, said Chief Operations Officer of the City of Tshwane Vuyo Zitumane.  

“Energy availability is an important pillar for economic growth and it must take centre stage. There is a dire need for the City of Tshwane to ensure that sufficient energy is provided, which must be aligned with its carbon-reduction efforts as outlined in the Climate Action Plan,” she said.  

The process of recommissioning the Rooiwal and Pretoria West power stations is at an advanced stage “as the city does not want to waste any time”, said Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane Cilliers Brink. Tshwane approved a report earlier this year allowing it to proceed with a 40-year lease for independent power producers to refurbish and reactivate the power stations. 

“The tenders are out and we will soon have providers who can help us run the two power stations. After stabilising the city’s finances, our second priority is to achieve energy independence. We need to grow our economy and create jobs,” Brink said, adding that Tshwane is aiming to achieve a 4% GDP growth rate. 

To achieve 1 000 MW of energy generation by 2026, the city will need to work closely with private solar producers and households, Brink said. “We are in the process of updating our policies on wheeling and feeding into the grid.” Brink’s team is hard at work developing strategies to mitigate the risk of illegal connections.