Powering the Future: SA’s Grid Reform Takes Center Stage at Windaba 2026

Windaba 2026 will bring infrastructure expansion, grid access, and electricity market reform to the forefront of South Africa’s energy evolution from 6–7 October 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC 2) in Cape Town, South Africa. As the country accelerates its transition toward a sustainable energy landscape, the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) will serve as a strategic partner, delivering vital insights into how the national grid will evolve to support clean energy integration.

Leading the Transmission Vision

The NTCSA delegation will be led by Chief Executive Officer Monde Bala, marking his first anniversary in the leadership role. Returning to the conference for the second consecutive year, the company’s participation signals a commitment to direct engagement with wind energy developers, financiers, and policymakers.

Bala is set to outline the NTCSA’s long-term vision for the transmission system through 2035, while reflecting on key milestones achieved over the past year. Sessions will also showcase the newly established Grid Access Unit, highlighting practical interventions designed to streamline grid connections and strengthen institutional alignment with Eskom Generation.

Unlocking a R134 Billion Investment Opportunity

Central to the event’s agenda is South Africa’s Transmission Development Plan, which targets the construction of approximately 14,500 kilometers of high-voltage transmission lines and 133,000MVA of transformer capacity over the next decade. Designed to connect up to 56GW of new generation capacity—particularly in wind-rich regions—the broader project requires an estimated total investment of R440 billion.

While Independent Transmission Programmes will support expansion, a funding gap of R134 billion remains. Bala highlights this financial shortfall not merely as a hurdle, but as a major market opportunity for private capital, institutional investors, and project developers to participate via Independent Transmission Projects (ITPs) and public-private partnerships.

“The NTCSA cannot deliver the scale of transmission infrastructure South Africa requires on its own,” Bala stated, calling on the market to collaborate in turning national grid plans into bankable, on-the-ground infrastructure.

Key Strategic Focus Areas

Discussions will address both long-term infrastructure targets and immediate operational challenges. Key focus areas across the event programme include:

• Delivery models and private sector participation through Independent Transmission Projects.
• Progress updates on the Transmission Development Plan and 2035 grid vision.
• Infrastructure requirements for building a flexible and secure energy network.
• Industry resolution topics, including the clearance of payment backlogs and future deemed energy claims.

Framed by the event theme, “Implementing Watt Matters: Policy. Power. People.”, the conference focuses on turning high-level policy into tangible energy solutions. SAWEA Interim CEO Titania Stefanus-Zincke emphasized that the NTCSA’s strong presence reflects the absolute necessity of grid expansion in unlocking South Africa’s full wind energy potential.