SOUTH AFRICA: Transnet Freight Rail is seeking industry feedback on how affordable renewable electricity could be integrated into its traction power supplies to improve energy security and efficiency and reduce the railway’s environmental impact
Any changes would need to take into account the scale of the country’s rail network and the intermittent nature of traction power loads, with high peaks and short duration demand periods.
TFR says it wants to encourage proposals beyond popular market drivers such as solar and wind energy, potentially including hybrids of hydroelectric power, biomass, geothermal or other energy sources.
The operator intends to embark on a Renewable Energy Power Purchase Programme with the aim of diversifying its energy sources, and has issued a request for information with the aim of assessing the potential for partnerships with the private sector for self-generation.
TFR consumed more than 1 800 GWh of traction energy during the 2021-22 financial year, and believes that there is significant potential for the inclusion of renewable energy sources in its traction supply mix.
