Pumped storage hydro will be critical to maintaining grid stability as South Africa rapidly expands solar and wind generation with Eskom warning that insufficient long-duration storage could create operational risks for the power system.
Speaking at Enlit Africa 2026, Eskom Asset Lifecycle Manager Nad Moodley referenced the Integrated Resource Plans proposed buildout of 25 GW of solar photovoltaics PV and 34 GW of wind capacity by 2039, warning that the rapid evening decline in solar generation will create steep ramping requirements for the grid.
He said the planned addition of 8.5 GW of energy storage capacity within South Africas long-term electricity planning framework is what holds the entire plan together.
