Do we need #base_load power for energy security in South Africa? A thread to set out the main issues... (Full presentation here: http://meridianeconomics.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Base-load-and-energy-security.pdf) @GwedeMantashe1 @EnochGodongwan2 @BarbaraCreecy_ @MeridianEconSA

There was never an inherent technical requirement for “base load” power to provide security of supply. Historically, using coal generation capacity in “base load” mode was an economic strategy to minimise total system cost under a given technological and resource endowment.

If new variable technologies are now the cheapest source of bulk power there is no further need for “base load” power.

An example: Meeting demand on a typical day. Assume a green fields power system (building everything from scratch).