Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe Says Coal Energy Is Not Going Anywhere

• Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe believes that coal energy is here to stay in South Africa
• The minister believes that the use of coal will continue playing a crucial role in the country’s energy transition
• Mantashe claimed that the switch to renewable energy would further sink the country into a baseload crisis

PRETORIA - Minerals and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe believes that South Africa is not done using coal to generate electricity. He believes coal, gas, nuclear and hydropower should be the main energy suppliers and South Africans agree with him.

Mantashe made the remarks while President Cyril Ramaphosa submitted the country’s R1.5 trillion investment plan to move away from coal energy at the COP27 summit. During a parliamentary debate, Mantashe said it was a myth that coal energy was over.

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The minister believes that coal will continue playing a crucial role in the country’s energy transition. According to News24, Mantashe allowing the country to move low carbon emissions would be more suited than doing away with fossil fuels.

He said swinging from coal power to renewable energy does not guarantee baseload stability. The minister claimed it would further sink the country into a baseload crisis.

Mantashe also claimed that South Africa’s Renewable Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) was not replacing Eskom. He added that the power utility was not for sale.

Meanwhile, African National Congress National Executive Committee member Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma also stood by the use of coal energy. She recommended using cleaner ways of producing coal energy, IOL reported.

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SA reacts to Gwede Mantashe’s comments about coal energy:

Benji de Lange said:

“He is just being honest with the people. We will still be using fossil fuels for many decades to come. Our coal for our electricity.”

Rowan Torr commented:

“So why are we as a nation accepting massive amounts of money to move away from coal??? The whole world can’t be wrong.”

VJ Hasani Ramashia wrote:

“If we can’t use our coal then no one must access them.”

Sabelo Given posted:

“The truth of the matter is: if we eliminate coal there will be so many jobs lost, from mines, truck drivers and those working at power stations. Coal is here to stay forget about load shedding and the environment.”

Sandra Hardie added:

“Given his way, he would destroy every ecologically important area in South Africa.”

SA gets R10bn energy transition loan from France and Germany

Briefly News also reported South Africa has scored an additional R10 billion in concessional loans from France and Germany during Finance day at the COP27 negotiations currently underway in Egypt. The loan will be used for the nation’s just energy transition.

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The loan agreement with the French and German governments forms part of SA’s Just Energy Transition Partnership (JEPT). The agreement states that the development banks of the European nations will extend approximately R5.3 billion each to SA, Daily Maverick reported.

The loans will be provided directly to the National Treasury, which will direct the funds to projects that align with what the JEPT is trying to achieve.

Source: Briefly News