In a significant shift for Africa’s most industrialized nation, South Africa’s newly appointed Energy and Electricity Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, pledged to aggressively pursue renewable energy sources.
This marks a clear departure from the previous administration’s stance, which prioritized coal and resisted calls for rapid decarbonization.
Ramokgopa’s announcement comes as South Africa celebrates a record 100 days without power cuts, a feat achieved despite the country’s heavy reliance on coal-fired power plants.
This dependence on coal has made South Africa one of the world’s top greenhouse gas emitters, even surpassing countries like Britain and France.
“We are going to be ultra-aggressive on renewable energy,” Ramokgopa declared at a press conference.
He emphasized his intention to attract significant investment in the sector, aiming to make renewables a dominant energy source for South Africa.
This newfound focus on renewables stands in stark contrast to the approach of Ramokgopa’s predecessor, Gwede Mantashe.
Mantashe had consistently advocated for continued reliance on coal, raising doubts about the feasibility and effectiveness of green energy solutions.
The creation of the new Energy and Electricity Ministry, separate from the mining sector previously overseen by Mantashe, is seen by analysts as a deliberate move to distance South Africa’s energy policy from coal dependence.
Additionally, South Africa boasts exceptional potential for renewable energy with vast stretches of semi-desert land and a coastline with strong winds.
However, policy uncertainties and delays in decommissioning coal-fired power stations have hampered investment in renewables.
Ramokgopa acknowledged these challenges and vowed to work with businesses to address their concerns and encourage participation in the green energy transition.
