Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019)

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019) is a strategic electricity infrastructure development plan for South Africa, designed to balance least-cost electricity supply and demand while considering security of supply and environmental impacts. The document updates the previous IRP 2010–2030 to reflect lower-than-expected GDP growth, declining electricity demand, and the deteriorating performance of Eskom's existing power plants.

• South Africa faces an immediate risk of significant power shortages due to the low Energy Availability Factor (EAF) of Eskom's generation plants and the early shutdown of non-performing units at Grootvlei, Komati, and Hendrina. This gap is estimated to be between 2,000 and 3,000 MW, likely necessitating the extended use of expensive diesel peaking plants or increased load shedding.
• The IRP 2019 recommends extending the design life of the Koeberg nuclear power station by another 20 years beyond its 2024 end-of-life date to maintain energy security, as it is a high-performing plant with low operational costs.
• To address immediate supply gaps, the government intends to implement a medium-term power purchase programme (MTPPP) to acquire capacity from existing facilities, such as co-generation and small hydro, and encourage the development of generation for own use.
• The plan maintains annual build limits for renewable energy (1,000 MW for solar PV and 1,600 MW for wind) up to 2030 to ensure a consistent project pipeline and investor confidence, despite the least-cost path suggesting the removal of these limits.
• South Africa will continue to utilize coal but mandates that all new coal power projects use high efficiency, low emission (HELE) technologies, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), to meet environmental requirements.
• The strategy for gas-to-power includes the conversion of existing diesel-fired peaking plants on the east coast to gas, as this is identified as the first location for gas importation infrastructure.
• The government plans to commence preparations for a new nuclear build programme of 2,500 MW, to be implemented at a modular scale and affordable pace, as a 'no-regret' option for the long term following the decommissioning of coal plants post-2030.
• South Africa will pursue the Grand Inga Hydropower Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with a 2,500 MW offtake, requiring the development of cross-border transmission infrastructure through DRC, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
• The plan emphasizes a 'Just Transition' to mitigate the socio-economic impact of decommissioning approximately 24,100 MW of coal power plants between 2030 and 2050, focusing on social dialogue and the creation of decent jobs.
• Electricity demand forecasts were revised downward because the projections from IRP 2010–2030 did not materialize, driven by lower GDP growth, improved energy efficiency, and fuel switching to LPG for heating and cooking.

APA

Centre for Environmental Rights (2019). Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019). https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Integrated-Resource-Plan-18-October-2019.pdf?x21779

Chicago

Centre for Environmental Rights. Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019). 2019. https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Integrated-Resource-Plan-18-October-2019.pdf?x21779.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Centre for Environmental Rights |title=Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019) |date=October 2019 |url=https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Integrated-Resource-Plan-18-October-2019.pdf?x21779 |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centreforenvironmentalrights2019integrated, author = {{Centre for Environmental Rights}}, title = {{Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019)}}, institution = {Centre for Environmental Rights}, year = {2019}, month = oct, url = {https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Integrated-Resource-Plan-18-October-2019.pdf?x21779}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }