Application of stochastic programming to electricity generation planning in South Africa

A two-stage stochastic programming model is used to solve the electricity generation planning problem in South Africa for the period 2013 to 2050, in an attempt to minimise expected cost. Costs considered are capital and running costs. Unknown future electricity demand is the source of uncertainty represented by four scenarios with equal probabilities. The results show that the main contributors for new capacity are coal, wind, hydro and gas/diesel. The minimum costs obtained by solving the two-stage stochastic programming models range from R2 201 billion to R3 094 billion.