Archive: Coal


Explainer Row of light bulbs

Nersa is proposing a new electricity pricing structure to reflect South Africa’s evolving and diversifying energy market.

News & Analysis Aerial view of solar farm

The IEA says that clean energy investment in emerging and developing economies must grow to USD $2.8 trillion annually by the early 2030s.

Explainer Aerial view of solar farm

No new coal and nuclear, very little gas, and the massive deployment of renewables for the least cost electricity, says the PCC.

News & Analysis

The three gas-to-power ships will “cost South Africa billions of rand and be loaded onto your electricity bill”, argues OUTA.

News & Analysis Aerial view of ship in channel

EU demand for coal imports is set to plummet by 2030, to be replaced by critical minerals and technologies for the clean energy transition.

News & Analysis Eskom's Kusile coal power station

Eskom’s plan to temporarily bypass sulphur dioxide controls at Kusile coal power plant poses a deadly health risk to local communities.

News & Analysis

No wind turbines were connected to South Africa’s grid in 2022, inhibiting progress toward solving load-shedding and fossil fuel price volatility.

News & Analysis Wind turbines at sunset

Wind and solar energy grew to a record 12 per cent of global electricity generation in 2022, according to a new report by Ember.

News & Analysis Industrial plant

Spain is investing in South Africa’s green transition to develop renewable energy, electric vehicles and water projects.

News & Analysis Wildfire on mountain

Halving emissions this decade is crucial, yet relying on coal and gas will add fuel to the fire of climate change.

News & Analysis Air pollution emitting from coal fired power plant

The Pretoria High Court has granted leave to appeal the Deadly Air judgement regarding toxic air pollution in the Highveld Priority Area.

News & Analysis Aerial photo of coal power plant

New analysis reveals how industry lobbying is successfully obstructing progress to net zero and the associated socio-economic benefits.

Explainer Gas burning on the hob of a cooker

Natural gas presents a risk to the success of the green energy transition, to the economy and to the country’s climate goals.

Explainer Photograph of a river where the water has an orange/red colour because of high iron content

The link between coal, gas and water pollution is clear, but the extraction and use of fossil fuels affect ecosystems in many less obvious ways as well.

Explainer Aerial photograph of rooftop solar panels at sunset

Renewable energy investment could go a long way to filling the gaps caused by retiring coal-fired power plants and would reduce the need for load shedding.

News & Analysis Wide shot of generic coal power station spewing toxic chemicals into the air

Mpumalanga province is not typically known for wind and solar generation, but there are major advantages to encroaching on coal country.

Explainer Silhouette of coal mining tower against pink sky

Coal is the world’s dirtiest energy. A just transition from coal mining will profoundly benefit people and the environment.

Explainer

Air pollution is the world’s most critical environmental health risk. South Africa’s use of fossil fuels produces hundreds of millions of tonnes of emissions annually.

Explainer Stock photo of a green plant growing out of a jar of money, to symbolise renewable energy funds

Renewable energy funds are a vital tool for South Africa’s green energy transition. They can pay for everything from infrastructure upgrades to mine rehabilitation.

Explainer Electricity pylons at sunset

Energy is essential for the functioning of any modern economy. South Africa’s Central Energy Fund (CEF) does the vital job of maintaining that energy supply.