Chinese Energy into South Africa - The State Grid Cooperation of China to Bid for South African Nuclear Power Project

China has signed many memorandums of understanding on electric power cooperation with South Africa when Chinese president Mr. Xi Jinping visited South Africa. The construction of electric power infrastructure in South Africa will provide a chance for manufactures on the supply chain in China.

The State Grid Cooperation of China signed the Strategic Memorandum of Cooperation with South Africa electric power company-Eskom, which marks the official launch of strategic cooperation. The content covers many fields, such as the exploration of power transmission and distribution and renewable energy, development and application of ultra-high voltage and smart grids technologies, project consultancy, international organization cooperation and tech training etc.      

This strategic cooperation will further accelerate the promotion and application of advanced technologies such as smart grids etc and promote the exchange of experience in the electric power technology between two countries, the State Grid said. To strengthen capacity cooperation of electric power equipment is of great significance for consolidating the partnership and enhancing the economic and trade cooperation between two countries.    

It is clear that there will still be a growing demand for electric power infrastructure in South Africa in the next five years. As Chinese companies increasingly invest overseas, it is expected to expand a new market. However, some insiders held that whether the State Grid could be rewarded was still unknown owning to many uncertainties.