Cape Town, South Africa – The Western Cape government has announced that it is on track to achieve energy independence from Eskom by 2035, with private sector companies playing a crucial role in securing the province’s power supply.
The ambitious plan aims to generate 5,700 megawatts (MW) of independent electricity—exceeding current provincial demand—through renewable energy projects and private sector partnerships. Already, 1,000 MW of independent power has been delivered, with another 1,000 MW in development.
Private Sector Leading the Charge
One of South Africa’s largest independent power producers has established its headquarters in Cape Town, driving renewable energy solutions across the continent. The company has an additional 4 gigawatts (GW) in the pipeline, signaling a major shift in South Africa’s energy landscape.
Western Cape Premier Alan Winde highlighted the transition from a single energy provider to a competitive market, where consumers—from large industries to households—will soon be able to choose their electricity suppliers.
“Within the next two years, you’re going to see trading platforms where people can make a choice,” Winde said. “Big energy users are already selecting between Eskom and private providers, and this will eventually extend to smaller businesses and households.”
Municipalities Making Progress
The Cape Metro, which accounts for 60% of the province’s 4,000 MW demand, is a key focus area. Energy experts believe that reducing the metro’s reliance on Eskom will encourage other regions to follow suit.
Several municipalities are already making strides:
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Stellenbosch – 50 MW in the market
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Saldanha – 100 MW (scalable)
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George – Expected to enter the market by end of June
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Mossel Bay – 30 MW operational
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Hessequa – 12-18 MW, with 51% of projects completed
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Prince Albert – Exploring off-grid solutions
According to provincial officials, an additional 1,000 MW could be added to the grid within the next 18 months.
Eskom’s Role and Challenges Ahead
While Eskom has made progress in maintenance and aims to meet its own supply targets in the coming years, energy analyst Alwie Lester noted that private sector generation and renewable energy projects have helped reduce load-shedding.
“Demand is not as high as it used to be, thanks to private sector contributions and renewable energy projects,” Lester said. “However, Eskom has relied heavily on diesel-powered turbines as a fallback, so there’s still a long road ahead.”
The Western Cape’s push for energy independence marks a significant step toward a more stable and competitive power market, potentially setting a blueprint for other provinces to follow.