By Bernell Simons

Premier Zamani Saul warns that without urgent transmission upgrades, the province’s green economy ambitions could stall.

orthern Cape Premier Zamani Saul has committed his administration to an aggressive transmission infrastructure overhaul, warning that without urgent upgrades the province risks losing billions in renewable energy investment. Delivering his 2026 State of the Province Address, Saul acknowledged that while the Northern Cape has cemented its position as South Africa’s renewable energy powerhouse, inadequate grid capacity has emerged as the single biggest obstacle to further growth. “We are producing clean energy at scale, but our ability to transmit that power to the rest of the country is constrained,” Saul said. “Generation without adequate transmission infrastructure is like building a dam without pipelines.” The province hosts some of the country’s largest solar photovoltaic and wind projects under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). Yet much of its transmission network was originally designed to serve sparsely populated rural communities — not to evacuate massive volumes of electricity generated by utility-scale renewable plants. Why the Grid Is Constrained Saul said the transmission backlog stems from decades of underinvestment in high-voltage infrastructure, combined with the rapid expansion of renewable projects in recent years. “The grid was not built for the scale of renewable energy we are now attracting,” he said. “We have reached a point where new projects cannot connect because the transmission lines are full.” Bureaucratic delays, environmental approval processes and funding limitations have compounded the challenge. As a result, several renewable energy projects have faced connection delays, slowing job creation and dampening private sector momentum. The constraints carry broader economic risks. Investors require certainty that once generation capacity is built, it can be connected to the national grid without delay. “If we do not resolve transmission bottlenecks, we risk undermining investor confidence. That is not a position we can afford to be in,” Saul warned. Strategic Partnership with Eskom Central to the province’s response is a strengthened partnership with Eskom, which manages South Africa’s transmission network. Saul confirmed that Eskom has committed to expanding and modernising key transmission corridors across the Northern Cape. “We are working closely with Eskom to accelerate the rollout of new transmission lines and substations,” he said. “This includes strengthening the backbone network to integrate future renewable projects.” Government will align provincial planning with Eskom’s Transmission Development Plan to ensure infrastructure is built ahead of demand rather than in reaction to crisis. Saul also signalled support for reforms that could enable greater private sector participation in transmission investment. In previous addresses, Saul repeatedly positioned the Northern Cape as the country’s “renewable energy frontier.” In 2024, he described grid expansion as “non-negotiable” if the province was to maintain its competitive edge. Last year, he linked unlocking transmission capacity to industrialisation opportunities tied to green hydrogen, battery storage and renewable manufacturing. This year, that focus sharpened, with transmission upgrades framed as both an economic imperative and a service delivery priority. “Reliable electricity is not just about megawatts; it is about dignity, opportunity and stability,” Saul said. “A strengthened grid supports households, enables business growth and anchors our green economy ambitions.” Accountability and Execution To fast-track delivery, a dedicated intergovernmental task team will coordinate between provincial departments, Eskom and independent power producers. The team will monitor progress, remove administrative bottlenecks and accelerate approvals where possible. “We cannot allow red tape to delay infrastructure that is vital to our future,” Saul said. “Timelines must be met, and there will be accountability where commitments are not honoured.” Transmission projects are capital-intensive and often take years to complete — a reality Saul acknowledged. However, he insisted that failing to act would be more costly in the long run. “The cost of not investing is far greater than the cost of building,” he said. “If we act decisively now, the Northern Cape will remain at the forefront of South Africa’s energy transition.” As implementation begins, residents and investors alike will be watching to see whether the province can convert its renewable energy advantage into sustained economic growth, improved service delivery and longterm energy stability. For Saul, the message was unequivocal: the Northern Cape’s green economy ambitions hinge not only on abundant sunlight and wind — but on steel towers and transmission lines capable of carrying that power to the nation.