Ramaphosa urges SA to tackle energy crisis, climate change simultaneously

Cape Town — President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on the country to unite to take on its electricity and climate crises.

“As we intensify our efforts to address the electricity shortfall, we remain committed to reduce our carbon emissions through a just transition,” Ramaphosa said.

He added that intensive work is underway to reduce load shedding by improving the performance of Eskom’s power stations.

“This includes returning units at the Kusile and Medupi power stations to service on schedule, which will together add over 3,500 MW back to the grid. It also includes improving the quality of coal supplied to power stations and ensuring that appropriate skills, adequate funding and effective planning are put in place for maintenance.

ALSO READ | SA making ‘significant progress’ to get off FATF grey list – Mashatile

“We are making real progress in adding new generation capacity to the grid, buying power from neighbouring countries, fast-tracking new wind, solar, battery storage and gas projects. We have previously said that we have a deficit of some 6,000 MW, which we are working to close through all these efforts.

“We are seeing a massive surge of private investment in electricity generation as a result of reforms we have embarked upon. These reforms mean that private companies can invest in generation projects of any size and feed their power into the grid.”

He said, however, that while these initiatives give him confidence that load shedding will be ended, they will take time to show results.

ALSO READ | ‘It’s not technically possible to end load shedding in 2023’ – Ramokgopa

Meanwhile, the President added that SA has committed to reducing its carbon emissions by 2030 to within a target range which is compatible with limiting global temperature increase to 1.5ºC.

“We remain committed to achieving this target. We need to do this to prevent the worst effects of climate change, including droughts, floods and other disasters. We also need to protect jobs in sectors of our economy that have to decarbonise to remain globally competitive.

“However, the manner in which these commitments are achieved must not compromise energy security or the immediate priority of reducing load shedding.”

Ramaphosa added that the process of re-examining the country’s timeframes is not a reversal of its position on the just energy transition.

“Other countries have had to do the same in recent years without deviating from their long-term shift to renewable energy sources.”