If current carbon emission trends continue, South Africa might actually be on track to meet its 2030 emissions targets under the Paris Agreement.

Delaying coal plant decommissioning is projected to lead to 15,300 excess air pollution-related deaths and cost R345 billion, finds CREA analysis.

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

Energy storage such as grid batteries and pumped hydro can address the electricity crisis and ease load-shedding, according to the new study.

The law to allow an Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) will come into operation in April 2024, raising questions on the further 12 months of delay.

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

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

Evidence shows an additional 5 GW of renewable capacity could all but end load shedding and its associated socio-economic damage.

To address the power and climate crises, massive investments in transmission infrastructure and renewables are needed over the coming years.

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

While fossil fuel prices soar, solar is the solution to affordable energy security, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

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.

Food prices are affected by overall price inflation, but they are also an inflation driver in their own right.

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

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.

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.

The Independent Power Producers (IPP) procurement programme is part of the South African government’s answer to its energy generation shortage.

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

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.