SMALL HYDRO

RESOURCE AVAILABILITY

Small-scale Hydropower is a proven, mature technology with a long track record in South Africa. As early as 1892, the gold
mines at Pilgrims’ Rest, for example, were powered by two 6kW hydro turbines. Today it is believed that 247MW potential exist
for new small-scale hydro development in the rural areas of the Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga and
embedded in water transfer and gravity-fed systems throughout the country.

HOW DOES POWER FROM SMALL HYDRO WORK?

Hydro turbines convert the energy from falling or flowing water (kinetic energy) into rotating shaft power (rotating mechanical
energy). The mechanical energy is used to drive a generator to produce electricity (electrical energy).

Because of its downward

flow the water forces the
turbine to spin

Water from a dam

or river is directed
down pipes into a The turbine in turn drives a generator
power station that produces electrical energy

WATER. A CLEAN ENERGY SOLUTION

• Although a water scarce country, opportunities for small-scale hydropower do exist and have been exploited over the years.
• In South Africa 247MW potential for new small-scale hydro development is believed to exist in the rural areas of the Eastern
Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga2 and embedded in water transfer and gravity-fed systems throughout the
country.
• The IRP 2010 foresaw only a small contribution of South Africa’s power supply in 2030 to be produced from small hydro
power plants (included with biomass, biogas and landfill gas to deliver 125MW)
• To date the Minister of Energy has determined 195MW of small hydro power capacity to be procured from the private sector
• By mid 2015, only 19 MW of small hydro power has been successfully procured from independent power producers, leaving
significant room for future participation.

2
Barta, B. 2002. Capacity building in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Baseline study on Hydropower in South Africa and Barta, B. 2011.
Renewable energy: hydropower
 TECHNOLOGY
STATS
FOR SMALL HYDRO IPP PROJECTS
PARTICIPATING IN THE SOUTH
AFRICA’S REIPPPP

AVERAGE SIZE

6.37 MW
0.12
Mton EMISSION
SAVINGS

36 308 ANNUALLY

NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS
POWERED ANNUALLY
121
GWh ENERGY THAT
WILL BE GENERATED

3
ANNUALLY
NUMBER OF
PROJECTS

R0.97 BILLION
TOTAL INVESTMENT IN SMALL
HYDRO PROJECTS COMMITTED
TO DATE (30 JUNE 2015)

19.10 MW
TECHNOLOGY PRICE MW PROCURED

10.00 MW
TREND (R/kWh)

MW ONLINE AS AT JUN ‘15

R 1.28

R 1.17

Reflects average price in Apr 2015 terms

BW1 BW2 BW3 BW4

BW - Bid Window REIPPPP - Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme

To find out more go to: www.ipp-projects.co.za