Are gas to power projects a step back in achieving net zero targets?
All Roads leading to COP28 discussions later this year, where the global community will take stock of sustainable routes thus far.
Countries in the Global North, like Germany, have increased the use of coal fired electricity despite global commitments to decrease fossil fuels for a better climate.
Between July and September 2022, over a third of electricity came from coal, up from 13.3% of the same period in 2021.
In 2022, the Chinese Government also approved a record-breaking 106 gigawatts (GW), of new coal-fired power projects. Of 106 GW, 1GW is a large coal power plant.
South Africa aims to have 19 Gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. This will require about $35.6 billion.
About 85%, or an equivalent of 42,000MW, of electricity in South Africa, is generated from coal-fired power stations.
But procured renewable energy, now amounts to renewables of about 6,800 MW. Gas is at 3,000 MW, Coal at 1,500 MW and Pumped storage at about 513 MW.
In March 2023, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) approved a determination for Eskom, to build a new gas power station in Richards Bay to provide about 3 000MW.
Eskom also plans to convert old stations to supply natural gas to supply electricity to MosselBay and Ankerlig.
Lobby groups opposed Eskom’s proposal to construct a gas- fired power station and took Eskom to court back in March 2023.
But the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE) Resource Plan of 2019, calls for electrical infrastructure development of about 3000 MW of gas by 2030.
In 2021, 27 countries of the European Union consumed 412 bcm of gas, according to Europa.
According to Invest Africa, Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) provides an opportunity to develop gas-to-power solutions, and also for the development of pipelines.
Picture: International Institute for Sustainable Development