SUMMARY: The Integrated Resource Plan is an electricity infrastructure development plan based on least-cost electricity supply and demand balance, taking into account security of supply and the environment. The plan is a living document and is revised regularly. The promulgated IRP 2010–2030 identified the preferred generation technology required to meet expected demand growth up to 2030. It incorporated government objectives such as affordable electricity, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, reduced water consumption, diversified electricity generation sources, localisation and regional development.
KEY FINDING / RECOMMENDATIONS: Actions to be taken include undertaking a power purchase programme to help acquire capacity to supplement Eskom’s declining plant performance and to reduce the extensive use of diesel peaking generators in the immediate to medium term; extending Koeberg power plant’s design life by another 20 years; converting existing diesel-fired power plants to gas; and preparing for a nuclear build programme of 2 500 MW.