Article by the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) : We are pleased to share with you a summary of SAPVIA’s contributions to South Africa’s draft Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2023.
As the voice of the solar PV industry in South Africa, representing over 800 companies across the value chain, SAPVIA has been actively engaged in providing inputs and comments to shape this essential roadmap for our country’s energy future.
SAPVIA has a strong history of supporting and contributing to the IRP process. Since the release of the Draft IRP 2023, SAPVIA has participated in various stakeholder engagement sessions to gather industry inputs and formulate a comprehensive response.
Through these extensive consultations, SAPVIA has consolidated the views and recommendations of its diverse membership to put forward a robust submission aimed at optimising the final IRP 2023.
SAPVIA commends the DMRE for its work, and is encouraged by several positive attributes:
• SAPVIA supports the overarching purpose of the IRP in ensuring electricity supply security while balancing other key objectives. This is a critical balance to strike as the country navigates the energy transition.
• Given the urgency of the current energy crisis, SAPVIA appreciates the two-horizon approach taken in the draft IRP. This allows for a focused plan to address the immediate security of supply challenges in the short term while mapping out a longer-term trajectory for the electricity sector.
• SAPVIA welcomes the comprehensive outline of the various developments underway in the electricity sector. This context is crucial for stakeholders to understand the complex and rapidly evolving landscape in which the IRP must be implemented.
SAPVIA’s submission also highlights several areas where we believe the draft IRP 2023 could be further strengthened.
The IRP should take a holistic, aligned view of the roles of the private and public sectors, providing clear certainty on the capacity additions expected from each.
SAPVIA would like to put forward some key recommendations, and suggestions:
• Accelerate the deployment of solar PV as one of the fastest and most cost-effective generation sources, and significantly raise the distributed allocation to match real-world installation rates.
• Invest proactively in transmission infrastructure expansion and modernised grid operations to enable and keep pace with renewable energy growth.
• Reform the IRP development process to become an annual, transparent, and consultative exercise – one that is responsive to technology shifts and on-the-ground market realities.
• Balance energy security and decarbonisation imperatives, taking full account of the increasing economic risks and trade competitiveness impacts of a high-carbon electricity supply.
• Ensure close alignment between the IRP and related policies and provide clear procurement roadmaps.
We remain committed to working with the DMRE and providing industry insights to enable a dynamic and fit-for-purpose final IRP 2023.
Picture: Generation.org