GO15 member and South African power grid NTCSA (Eskom)’s Demand Response (DR) programme was launched in 2004 and has since grown into a major tool for the system operator, offering about 1,400 MW of flexible demand. Large customers are incentivized to temporarily reduce electricity use when the grid is under pressure, helping avoid blackouts and stabilize the system.
Two main products currently exist:
- fast instantaneous DR to correct sudden frequency drops,
- supplemental DR to relieve daily peaks.
A Virtual Power Station platform also manages contracts, bids, dispatch and payments.
NTCSA’s Demand Response brings cost and reliability benefits but still faces challenges such as industrial process limits, tariff effects and resistance at the municipal level.