While waiting for government measures to be implemented, many businesses are taking control of their own energy security through investment in solar.

This phase-down of coal will bring significant changes to South Africa. This makes the need for a just transition away from coal fundamental to ensure no one is left behind.

Coal’s dominance in South Africa’s electricity mix – totalling 90 per cent of electricity generation – means the rising price of coal is making bills more expensive.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is the regulatory body for the country’s energy industries. It regulates the electricity, gas and petroleum pipeline industries.

Despite South Africa’s abundant renewable resources, the government is also planning to increase gas in the country’s energy mix. The plan includes extracting shale gas.

South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is the country’s long-term energy plan until 2030. It became official government policy in October 2019.

With the roll out of solar panels globally, solar energy is increasing in popularity as an alternative, renewable source of energy. In South Africa, this is no different.

Hydrogen is gaining international attention as a potential green alternative to fossil fuels. This is because hydrogen can be “green” when produced using renewable sources.

South Africa suffers from crippling power outages, locally known as load shedding. In the first three months of 2021, load shedding occurred for 650 hours.

A wind turbine works by harnessing the power of the wind to create wind energy. The wind turns large blades around a rotor. This, in turn, powers a generator, which creates electricity.

Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned electricity provider, is under severe strain. In July 2021, Eskom’s debt stood at about R400 billion.

South Africa is a coal-dependent country. Coal makes up 74 per cent of the country’s total electricity supply. In the first quarter of 2021, 81.8 per cent of South Africa’s electricity came from coal.

Greenhouse gases are gases that trap heat in the atmosphere. This can be any gas that absorbs infrared radiation and contributes to the Earth’s warming or the greenhouse effect.

Load shedding happens when selected sections of South Africa’s electricity grid are shut down. In literal terms, Eskom, the country’s power utility, “sheds” a certain “load” – or amount – of electricity from the national grid.

South African mining houses are gravitating towards ‘green’ metals. This is in addition to investing in renewable energy projects to power their operations.