Smoothing out the volatility of South Africa's wind and PV energy resources

Abstract

Solar PV & wind are the cheapest new-build options per kWh in South Africa. By 2020, a mix of PV, wind and flexible gas (LNG-based) costs the same as new coal, even without any value given to excess wind/PV energy. South Africa has abundant solar and wind resources that until today are largely untapped. Costs should not be a barrier anymore, as new wind now costs 0.6 R/kWh (< 5 $ct/kWh) and new solar PV costs 0.8 R/kWh (6 $ct/kWh), based on actual PPA tariffs.