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Comparing solar PV (photovoltaic) with coal-fired electricity production in the centralized network of South Africa

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  • de Groot, R.A.F.
  • van der Veen, V.G.
  • Sebitosi, A.B.

Abstract

South Africa has a highly centralized network, in which almost all electricity is produced in Mpumalanga and transmitted throughout South Africa. In the case of the Western Cape, electricity has to be transmitted over 800–1370 km. This generates losses and entails high transmission costs. Investments in additional production and transmission capacity are needed to cope with the growing demand. Although there is a large potential for solar energy in South Africa, investments are lacking while large investments in new coal-fired power plants are being executed. These coal power plants do not only increase the need for heavier transmission infrastructure, but also have a higher CO2 emission level and a higher pressure on water reserves. This paper performs a more comprehensive cost-analysis between solar energy production and coal production facilities, to make a more elaborate picture of which technologies are more plausible to foresee in the growing demand of electricity. The current centralized electricity infrastructure makes the investment in large production facilities more likely. However, it should be questioned if the investment in large centralized solar parks will be more beneficial than the investments by consumers in smaller solar PV facilities on site.

Suggested Citation

  • de Groot, R.A.F. & van der Veen, V.G. & Sebitosi, A.B., 2013. "Comparing solar PV (photovoltaic) with coal-fired electricity production in the centralized network of South Africa," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 55(C), pages 823-837.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:55:y:2013:i:c:p:823-837
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2013.04.001
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tsikata, M. & Sebitosi, A.B., 2010. "Struggling to wean a society away from a century-old legacy of coal based power: Challenges and possibilities for South African Electric supply future," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 1281-1288.
    2. Matthias Finkenrath & Julian Smith & Dennis Volk, 2012. "CCS Retrofit: Analysis of the Globally Installed Coal-Fired Power Plant Fleet," IEA Energy Papers 2012/7, OECD Publishing.
    3. Kolhe, Mohanlal & Kolhe, Sunita & Joshi, J. C., 2002. "Economic viability of stand-alone solar photovoltaic system in comparison with diesel-powered system for India," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 155-165, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rose, Amy & Stoner, Robert J. & Perez-Arriaga, Ignacio, 2014. "Prospects for grid-connected solar photovoltaic in Kenya: A systems approach," WIDER Working Paper Series 095, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    2. Amy Rose & Robert J. Stoner & Ignacio Pérez-Arriaga, 2014. "Prospects for Grid-Connected Solar Photovoltaic in Kenya: A Systems Approach," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-095, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    3. Cartelle Barros, Juan José & Lara Coira, Manuel & de la Cruz López, María Pilar & del Caño Gochi, Alfredo, 2015. "Assessing the global sustainability of different electricity generation systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 473-489.
    4. Kusakana, Kanzumba, 2014. "Techno-economic analysis of off-grid hydrokinetic-based hybrid energy systems for onshore/remote area in South Africa," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 947-957.
    5. Onifade, Stephen Taiwo, 2023. "Environmental impacts of energy indicators on ecological footprints of oil-exporting African countries: Perspectives on fossil resources abundance amidst sustainable development quests," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    6. Cartelle Barros, Juan José & Lara Coira, Manuel & de la Cruz López, María Pilar & del Caño Gochi, Alfredo, 2016. "Probabilistic life-cycle cost analysis for renewable and non-renewable power plants," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 774-787.
    7. Cansino, J.M. & Cardenete, M.A. & González-Limón, J.M. & Román, R., 2014. "The economic influence of photovoltaic technology on electricity generation: A CGE (computable general equilibrium) approach for the Andalusian case," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 70-79.

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