Johannesburg – Coal-dependant South Africa on Thursday announced it was ploughing R50 billion ($3.3 billion) into 25 wind and solar projects in an effort to shift towards clean energy and boost production.
Energy minister Gwede Mantashe said the deals with private producers would add 2 583 MW of contracted capacity to the grid – a boost of roughly 4.5% on current capacity.
“More investment in grid infrastructure is a critical requirement to ensure participation by cheaper renewable projects in future,” he told a news conference.
The first projects are not expected to come on line until April 2024 at the earliest.
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The continent’s most industrialised nation is struggling to meet its energy needs.
Rolling blackouts, a part of life since 2007, are hampering economic growth and stifling job creation in a country with more than 34% unemployment.
The ruling African National Congress admitted it was facing a voter backlash over the blackouts, as it struggles to rally support for local government elections next week.
Coal provides 80% of South Africa’s power, placing it among the world top 12 largest greenhouse gas emitters.
The country is seeking to highlight its efforts to wean itself off coal in the run-up to the UN’s COP26 climate summit in Scotland.
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Picture: Getty Images
Source: AFP
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