The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) is set to enter a two-year technical cooperation programme with French transmission system operator subsidiary RTE International supported by a €650 000 (R12 million) grant from Agence Française de Développement (AFD).
Eskom, the NTCSA, RTE International and AFD signed the memorandum of understanding at the Africa Energy Forum in Cape Town last week. The grant is financed by the French national treasury.
The programme will bring technical teams from the NTCSA and RTE International together through workshops, study tours, research projects and pilot initiatives in South Africa and France.
Its research agenda includes renewable energy integration and system stability, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and advanced analytics, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission and telecommunications.
The parties said the cooperation intends to address the operational effects of changing load flows and higher variable renewable energy penetration as South Africa expands its transmission system.
It will also support an exchange of operating experience as the company expands and modernises the transmission system, said NTCSA CEO Monde Bala.
“The security and reliability of the transmission grid is non-negotiable,” Bala said. “This agreement enables a focused exchange of expertise between the NTCSA and RTE International, allowing us to share practical experience and strengthen our capabilities as we modernise our systems, expand the grid and integrate renewable energy.”
Eskom CFO Calib Cassim said: “The collaboration affords Eskom and the NTCSA the opportunity to benefit from international technical expertise and shared learning that will help build a more resilient and modern grid.”
RTE International CEO Veronika Milewski said the joint research agenda will focus on “some of the key challenges facing transmission operators today: AI, advanced analytics, HVDC technologies and the integration of renewable energy sources”.
The parties said the work will follow a phased approach, tailored to the NTCSA’s needs and intended to retain ownership within NTCSA teams.
