Mineral Resources and Energy minister Gwede Mantashe has outlined the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019) which provides a blueprint for South Africa\u2019s envisaged energy mix.<\/p>\n
The plan was officially approved by the cabinet on Thursday (17 October), and is expected to be made available for public comment shortly.<\/p>\n
In a presentation on Friday (18 October), Mantashe said that the plan will include a diversified mix pulling power from coal, solar, wind, hydro and nuclear stations.<\/p>\n
Around 77% of South Africa’s primary energy needs are currently provided by coal.<\/p>\n
Mantashe said that the additional capacity mix<\/strong> to the energy mix contained in the IRP 2019 for the period up to 2030 will be as follows:<\/p>\n “It must be noted that while the coal’s installed capacity will be lower than the current installed base, it will remain the dominant energy supply contributing 59% of the energy volumes required to meet demand,” he said.<\/p>\n “Nuclear will contribute 5%, hydro 8%, photovoltaic 6%, wind 18%, and gas and storage 2%.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Coal<\/strong><\/p>\n The IRP 2019 states that coal will continue to play a significant role in electricity generation as the country has the resource in abundance.<\/p>\n New investments will be directed to more efficient coal technologies (high efficiency, low emissions), ‘underground coal gasification’ and the development of carbon capture and storage.<\/p>\n Mantahse said that government will also work with Eskom to ensure the utility complies with the minimum emissions standard over time.<\/p>\n “There must be a just transition towards less carbon-emitting technologies and workers and communities in affected areas must – as far as possible – not be left worse off,” he said.<\/p>\n Nuclear<\/strong><\/p>\n Mantashe said that it is a globally accepted fact that nuclear energy is a clean source of energy that can contribute significantly to the reduction of emissions.<\/p>\n “There is a move globally towards the development of small modular reactors that are considered (a) more manageable investment when compared to a large fleet approach,” he said.<\/p>\n “The IRP 2019 provides for the extension of the design life of Koeberg as well as additional new nuclear capacity<\/strong> in the future.<\/p>\n Taking into account the capacity that will be decommissioned into the future, nuclear at a pace, scale and cost affordable to the country is a ‘no-regret’ option.”<\/p>\n Mantashe said that upfront planning with regard to additional nuclear capacity is therefore a requisite, given the long lead-time.<\/p>\n Renewable energy<\/strong><\/p>\n Mantashe said that renewable energy combined with storage present an opportunity to produce distributed power closer to where demand is, and to provide off-grid electricity to far-flung areas of the country.<\/p>\n “In addition to sun and wind resources, South Africa has some of the world’s largest high-grade resources in at least six key commodities that play a critical role in the global energy sector.<\/p>\n “These are vanadium, platinum, palladium, nickel, manganese, rare earths, copper and cobalt,” he said.<\/p>\n Gas<\/strong><\/p>\n Mantashe said that gas power will provide the flexibility required to complement intermittent renewable energy and meet demand during peak hours.<\/p>\n “While in the short-term, the opportunity is to pursue gas import options, local and regional gas resources will allow for scaling up within manageable risk levels,” he said.<\/p>\n Indigenous gas like coal-bed methane and ultimately recoverable shale and coastal gas options are also being considered, he said.<\/p>\n “The IRP 2019 makes provision for gas from 2024. As previously indicated we intend to establish the first Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) hub in Coega in the Eastern Cape.”<\/p>\n\n
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