South Africa Reaches Renewable Energy Milestone with First Private Transmission

South Africa has achieved a major renewable energy milestone with the launch of its first Main Transmission Substation (MTS) built by a private company, located just outside the small town of Noupoort in the Northern Cape.

The Koruson 400/132 kV MTS, completed and energized on April 5, is the first transmission substation in the country to be fully developed, financed, engineered, constructed, and commissioned by an Independent Power Producer (IPP). It also marks the first such substation to be integrated into the national grid in over seven years.

This substation, designed to connect 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy to the grid, is part of a large green energy initiative led by EDF Renewables, in partnership with H1 Holdings, Gibb-Crede, and a local community trust. It serves as the backbone of the Koruson 1 project cluster, developed under South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), and will facilitate the connection of multiple renewable energy farms to the grid.

Phase 1 connects three wind farms (420 MW), while Phase 2 adds two more wind farms and a solar plant (520 MW), all linked to the MTS. The substation features the latest Phase 6 protection, control, and automation systems, enhancing reliability and operational efficiency.

The successful integration of the Koruson MTS into the national grid overcame several technical challenges, including replacing two 400 kV towers. EDF Renewables and its partners worked through these obstacles to deliver this innovative, self-built transmission substation.

Tristan de Drouas, CEO of EDF Renewables, highlighted the significance of the project in strengthening South Africa’s renewable energy infrastructure, while Tshepo Tshivhasa, head of grid engineering, praised it as the first greenfield transmission substation in seven years and the first full self-build of its kind.

The Koruson MTS underscores the Northern Cape’s growing reputation as a leader in green energy, adding to its status as a renewable energy hotspot.