About R75 billion will be needed to electrify the remaining 1,6 million South African households still without power a decisive step towards achieving universal access to electricity by 2030.
This was revealed by Thabo Kekana , Deputy Director-General in the Department of Electricity and Energy, during his presentation to the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy on the Integrated National Electrification Programme INEP on October 29. Kekana outlined plans to repurpose and accelerate the 30-year-old programme through a hybrid mix of grid expansion, microgrids and solar home systems SHS.
Since its inception in 1994, INEP has connected more than 8,4 million households, raising electricity access from 58,1 in 1996 to 94,7 today. Over this period, the state has invested R110 billion, transforming INEP into one of Africas most extensive public infrastructure initiatives.