Coming together14 May 2019 16:52
https://m.engineeringnews.co.za/article/updated-irp-is-imminent-says-radebe-as-he-allays-coal-producers-fears-2019-05-14
He told delegates attending the African Utility Week and PowerGEN Africa forum, in Cape Town, on Tuesday, that the government was still in the process of engaging with its social partners at the National Economic Development and Labour Council, but emphasised that the update was imminent.
“Cabinet's approval of the IRP for South Africa will define a tangible plan for energy security that also enables the participation of independent power producers (IPPs) side by side with Eskom and municipalities,” said Radebe.
He also pointed out that there was room for coal-fired power in the future, but placed an emphasis on the need for clean coal technologies.
“While a paradigm shift is required for carbon emission reduction targets to be realised, as government, we cannot do this in a manner that is unjust relative to those that would be negatively affected by these adjustments. Our vast coal deposits cannot be sterilised simply because we cannot explore technological innovations to exploit the coal.”
Radebe said the timing of the transition to a low-carbon economy, in line with the country's accession to the Paris Agreement, had to be done in a way that was not insensitive to the potential impacts on jobs and local economies.
“With regard to our energy mix, we cannot ignore the fact that we have abundant coal reserves in South Africa and that the price of local coal remains relatively low. However this is counter-balanced by the high carbon content of coal.
“Carbon capture and storage, underground coal gasification, coal to liquids and other clean coal technologies are critical considerations that will enable us to continue using our coal resources in an environmentally responsible way,” said Radebe.
He said the energy sector alone contributed close to 80% of carbon emissions, of which 50% was from electricity generation and liquid fuels production alone.
Further, South Africa’s power capacity requirements also came under the spotlight during the Minister’s address to the packed opening plenary.
“We estimate that the capacity extension under the IRP will cost in excess of R1-trillion in the period up to 2030, including the new power plants plus the requisite transmission and distribution infrastructure.”
Radebe said the financing of infrastructure has become an uphill battle for emerging economies, exacerbated by the impact of the stand-off on trade between China and the US. But he called on partners and investors attending African Utility Week to help generate more money.
“Notwithstanding that the current credit situation remains tight, we intend to find ways, with your collaboration, to increase financing for energy infrastructure – especially financing that supports small and medium-sized enterprises which can create the jobs we need.”
Radebe lamented the dismal state of Eskom, which was m
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