In a significant move, South Africa’s cabinet has approved an updated Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), a roadmap for the country’s energy sector over the next 25 years.
This plan aims to address the nation’s current energy crisis and secure its future energy needs.
Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, in an online briefing, highlighted the IRP’s dual focus: addressing the immediate energy deficit and shaping a long-term vision for a sustainable energy future.
He emphasized that the plan’s first timeframe, extending until 2030, prioritizes tackling the current energy shortage.
This includes potentially revisiting the decommissioning schedule for existing power plants to ensure immediate needs are met.
The IRP also acknowledges the importance of renewable energy, especially in the long-term.
The second timeframe, from 2030 to 2050, focuses heavily on developing renewable energy sources and ensuring adequate transmission infrastructure is in place to support their integration into the grid.
This aligns with the recommendations of the Presidential Climate Commission, which called for 50-60 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
The IRP will be officially released for public comment soon, allowing for further scrutiny and engagement.
This move marks a critical step towards ensuring South Africa’s energy security and sustainability for decades to come.
