Dr Kgosientso Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy in the Presidency, tabled South Africa’s R2,2 trillion integrated plan (IRP), on Sunday.
This is expected to contribute 30% to the GDP, and lower carbon emissions to 168 million tons, by 2030, and even further to 142 million tons, by 2035.
The IRP 2025, is expected to add 105,000 Megawatts (MW)of new generation capacity to the grid.
Ramokgopa said cleaner energy is going to be greater than fossil fuels for the first time, in South Africa’s history, outpacing coal as a primary energy source in the country.
“We don’t have a coal problem, we have an emissions problem. The IRP is a policy of Government, not a wishlist, nor a guide.”
Solar PV will be scaled up to 11,270 MW, from a current 10% contribution to the grid, to account for 20%, come 2030.
Wind will go up to 7,340 MW, adding up to 15%, an increase from the current 4,5%.
Gas to power is expected to amount to 6,000MW, as government intervenes to find sources of gas.
Storage will also be increased to 3,100 MW and 5,400 MW of distributed generation.
Ramakgopa also said pilots to produce cleaner coal must be in place by 2030.
Beyond 2030 into 2039, about 5,200 MW of nuclear will be added, solar PV of 25,000 MW, wind (34,000) and gas (16,000 MW).
About 8,500 MW into storage and 16,000 MW of distributed generation and additional capacity for nuclear of 4,800 MW.
There is also a nuclear industrialization plan, to up skills development, due to a shortage.
The Minister said Government continues to meet with industry and also engage Universities and colleges regarding skills.
Although the conversion of green hydrogen into electricity, will be explored, this form of energy is excluded from the plan, as researchers try to determine the unit cost of this source.