Forecast: Electric Power Transmission and Distribution Losses in South Africa

The electric power transmission and distribution losses in South Africa have shown a gradual decreasing trend from 2013 to 2023, standing at 8.4% in 2023. Over these years, the variations have generally exhibited a decline with minor fluctuations, indicating a slight but consistent improvement in reducing losses. The year-on-year variation over the last two years shows a trend of 0.065% to 0.064% decline, while the cumulative average growth rate (CAGR) over the last five years illustrates a yearly reduction of approximately 0.067%.

From 2024 onwards, forecasts suggest a continued slight decline, with the losses expected to reach 8.37% by 2028. The forecasted 5-year CAGR and growth rates point to a slower decrease of 0.05% per year, resulting in an overall reduction of 0.26% by 2028.

Future trends to watch for include advancements in technology and infrastructure, regulatory changes, and investments in smart grid solutions, which may significantly impact the efficiency of power transmission and distribution systems in South Africa.