NTCSA Clears Backlog Of Nearly 3,000 Renewable Energy Curtailment Claims In South Africa

The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has cleared a major backlog of curtailment claims and returned its claim-processing operations to normal levels as of August 31, 2026.

The backlog developed after NTCSA received a sharp increase in curtailment claim submissions during April and May 2026. The rise was linked to growing renewable energy generation and increased curtailment activity across South Africa’s electricity system.

To address the issue, NTCSA introduced an upgraded and streamlined claim-processing workflow at the end of June. The company also increased operational resources and strengthened its verification processes to improve the speed and efficiency of claim assessments.

As part of the effort, NTCSA processed nearly 3,000 outstanding claims during July and August. The company has now confirmed that the backlog has been fully cleared. Only current claims are now moving through the normal verification and settlement process.

NTCSA Chief Executive Officer Monde Bala said the completion of the backlog within the committed timeframe demonstrates the company’s efforts to strengthen internal processes and improve turnaround times. He added that the revised system will allow valid claims to be settled more quickly while maintaining financial, contractual and governance checks.

NTCSA manages approximately R45 billion in annual payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs). Efficient management of these payments is increasingly important as South Africa’s electricity market continues to expand its use of renewable and other sources of power.

Curtailment is a common grid-management practice in electricity systems with high levels of variable renewable energy. It involves temporarily reducing the electricity output of generators, particularly solar and wind projects. Grid operators may use curtailment when transmission networks face capacity constraints or when electricity supply exceeds demand.

This situation can occur during periods of strong renewable generation and relatively low electricity consumption, such as around midday. Solar and wind generation also varies according to weather conditions and does not always match periods of peak electricity demand.

South Africa’s power system therefore needs to balance renewable generation with conventional power plants. Some conventional generating units cannot be quickly switched off and restarted, meaning they may need to continue operating at minimum stable levels to remain available when demand increases.

NTCSA said curtailment will remain an important tool for maintaining system stability. The company also plans to continue transparent reporting on curtailment volumes and claim performance, while engaging regularly with stakeholders across the energy sector.