South Africa's first self-build Main Transmission Substation (MTS) developed by an Independent Power Producer (IPP) has been energised. The Koruson 400/132 kV MTS, located outside Noupoort in the Northern Cape, was completed on 5 April 2025 and connects 1.5 GW of renewable energy to the national grid.

The project was led by EDF Renewables, alongside H1 Holdings, Gibb-Crede, and a local community trust. It will serve the nearby Koruson 1 renewable energy cluster, developed under Round 5 of the REIPPPP.

This is the first greenfield transmission substation added to the grid in over seven years, and the first of its kind to be fully self-developed, financed, and constructed by a private consortium. It also marks the first time the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA) has approved a self-build of this scale.

Tshepo Tshivhasa, Head of Grid Engineering at EDF Renewables, called it a milestone for private sector participation in national infrastructure.

Source: constructionreviewonline.com