A stable and reliable transmission network is the backbone of any modern energy system, connecting producers to consumers, balancing supply and demand, and enabling the integration of new technologies. Yet South Africa’s grid, historically built to support coal-fired generation, is now under pressure to evolve rapidly.

As the country accelerates its shift to renewables, grid constraints have emerged as one of the most formidable barriers to progress. Scaling transmission investment is no longer a technical ambition - it’s a national imperative.

A Global Challenge, A Local Opportunity

Grid constraints are not unique to South Africa. Mature markets such as Germany, the UK, and the US continue to grapple with transmission bottlenecks and the broader complexities of integrating variable renewable energy. However, South Africa’s challenge is more structural: the grid is not only constrained, but also geographically misaligned with the country’s richest wind resource areas.

If South Africa hopes to meet its ambitions on energy security, universal electricity access, and transition to a greener economy, it must prioritise anticipatory planning and regulatory reform. This includes incentivising grid investments that align with national energy policy priorities and ensure long-term system resilience. Unlocking high-potential regions such as the Eastern, Northern, and Western Cape will require bold investment in new transmission corridors and regional reinforcements.

“Grid expansion and congestion in South Africa can be addressed through the deployment of advanced grid optimisation technologies, improved visibility of available transmission and distribution capacity, and the development of enabling regulatory frameworks,” says Vincent Kok, Senior Technical Advisor at SAWEA. “Clear and consistent market signals, particularly around pricing and access, will be essential to unlock greater flexibility from energy users, independent producers, and storage systems connected to the grid.”

These measures will pave the way for new investment in areas rich in renewable energy potential. Encouragingly, government has already provided positive market indicators through swift policy and regulatory interventions that could unlock grid investment.

Government Action: Laying the Groundwork

Recognising the urgency, the South African government has launched several medium and long-term measures to address grid congestion. These include:

• The Transmission Development Plan (TDP 2025 -2034)) – The plan outlines the need and plans to implement 14,500 km of transmission lines and 133,000 MVA of transformer capacity by 2034.
• The Integrated Transmission Plans (ITPs) – Supported by Electricity Transmission Infrastructure Regulations currently in their draft form.
• Congestion Curtailment Frameworks - They improve grid utilisation and enable more renewable energy integration while longer-term transmission buildouts are underway.

“Resolving grid constraints isn’t just about expansion - it’s about innovation,” adds Kok. “South Africa must now embrace a diversified grid strategy that aligns with national planning instruments such as the anticipated IRP2025

Insights from the 2024 South African Renewable Energy Grid Survey (SAREGS) revealed that more than 60 GW of renewable energy is ready to come online within the next 3 to 5 years - a clear signal that the country is primed to deploy alternative grid solutions.

What Should Be on the Table?

Among the key grid solutions South Africa must explore are:

• Utility-scale on-grid projects: Central to meeting national energy targets
• Off-grid systems: Serving farms, mines, and rural communities with independent power
• Hybrid systems: Combining wind, solar, and storage to enhance reliability and reduce intermittency
• Embedded generation: Supporting decentralised supply for commercial and industrial users
• Microgrids and Virtual Power Plants (VPPs): Offering resilience, flexibility, and localised control

“Resolving grid constraints is not optional – it’s the precondition for achieving our renewable energy targets,” says Kok.

However, these solutions require collective vision and alignment. Conversations must take place across the value chain, with policymakers, utilities, developers, financiers, and civil society, agreeing on feasible, innovative approaches that reflect South Africa’s unique energy landscape.

Windaba 2025: The Platform for Progress

Hosted by the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) from 21–23 October at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, Windaba 2025 will be the platform where these critical issues converge. Under the theme “Break the Gridlock! Wire for Growth!”, the conference will unite all key stakeholders to explore how South Africa can build a resilient, future-ready grid that supports the pace and scale of wind energy deployment.

Windaba 2025 will go beyond identifying problems. It will focus on practical, actionable solutions that position wind energy as both a driver of decarbonisation and a catalyst for inclusive growth. With the right focus and decisive action, South Africa’s wind industry can truly be wired for growth.