1. Isaac Sokopo Group Electrification Planning Manager
ESKOM’S CONTRIBUTION TO RURAL ENERGISATION AND FUTURE STRATEGY FOR GROWTH
Isaac Sokopo
Group Electrification Planning Manager

2. INTRODUCTION Challenges facing Eskom in the early 90’s -
Electrification Process
Achieved reduction in cost
Technology interventions
Future strategies
Conclusions

3. THE CHALLENGE
In 90’s around 1,5m households to be connected in period of 5 years
Core business or separate energy required?
Requirements for the 5 years
Connection every 30 seconds
Pole in the correct place every 10 seconds
200m of cable strung every minute
R6000 to be paid and managed per minute
200 simultaneous projects to be managed

4. PROCESS DEVELOPED
Detailed planning and project management process developed
Long lead times introduced from planning to implementation - 18 months to 24 months
Business plan indicators used to assign targets per Region
Each project was then identified and slotted in to the Regional plan approved at Corporate.

5. Process (Cont)
Problem was volatility in the areas. Villages changed in size, people moved.
Rolling reviews are conducted quarterly. Projects may be deferred a few months or scope changes reflected. All has to occur in a controlled manner.
Result is a process which has enable the price to be reduced by 50% in real terms.

6. REDUCTION ACHIEVED

7. TECHNOLOGICAL INTERVENTIONS
Needed to produce standards that could be used Eskom wide
Compromises and adjustments were necessary
Design parameters then defined to enable designers to optimally use the standards
Load levels specified
Indicators developed to enable designers to rapidly identify non-optimal designs

8. FUTURE STRATEGY
Electrification has reached the end of the beginning phase. Much still has to be done.
Four fronts need to be tackled
Process for the Industry needs to be established
Technology for the Industry
Tariffs
Non-Grid

9. PROCESS
Involvement and support of the DME initiatives on the electrification process is in place.
Eskom is willing to compromise in order to obtain the best process
Experience gained has been incorporated into the future process developed by the NECC.

10. TECHNOLOGY
To make use of existing standards other role players to review or adopt standards.
NRS and SABS will form the basis of technology standards for the Industry.
Offer to develop parameters and indices that will enable the building blocks to be effectively used.

11. TARIFFS
Need for a range of Tariffs to enable the poorest of the poor to have access
not a free handout but a tariff to match the needs and means of all.
Eskom Distribution is piloting a “first light” tariff which limits the power drawn between 2,5A and 8A. It is not a flat rate breaker tariff.

12. TARIFFS
Other ranges include 20A and 60A with increasing connection fees.
To upgrade needs to be easily achieved
Customers must have the choice of tariff. No tariff should be imposed.

13. NON-GRID
Even with the latest grid technology there will still be areas that grid cannot reach.
There is therefore a need for non-grid technology
Eskom Distribution has decided to embrace non-grid and incorporate it into the suite of options available to planners

14. NON-GRID
Non-grid is not limited to PV but includes mini or micro grids which may be powered by Diesel or renewable energy sources.
The type of non grid technology to use will be determined by market forces and the community.
Eskom will continue to work with stakeholders to ensure issues such as subsidy is resolved.

15. CONCLUSION
Eskom Distribution has played a major role in rural energisation.
Electricity provision has resulted in
Increased education
Improvement in quality of life
Increase of economic activities in electrified area
Increase in growth of trees in areas where this was used as fuel.

16. CONCLUSION It is our intention to
Support Government in the upliftment of the people via the provision of electricity
To assist wherever possible to ensure that electrification can continue in whatever structure of the future Industry.