GOOD statement by Brett Herron,GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
29 July 2022
GOOD is encouraged to see immediate steps being taken as part of efforts to increase renewable energy in South Africa, amid its ongoing power crisis, as well as growing climate concerns.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a significant change in our energy supply regime, with a focus on adding electricity production capacity as well as diversifying the source of our electricity.
We maintain that adding capacity through the addition of renewable energy is not only the fastest way, but the most responsible given the devastating effects of climate change and the vastly available natural resources in South Africa.
As GOOD, we welcome the announcement by Eskom that it has now awarded contracts for the provision of battery storage solutions in terms of its flagship Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project. This is a key project for large-scale deployment in support of South Africa’s renewable energy strategy, with the majority of the projects also located in the Western Cape.
This week also saw GOOD leader and Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Patricia De Lille, announcing her department’s intention to publish the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the commencement of the Integrated Renewable Energy and Resource Efficiency Programme (iREREP).
This would be the largest programme for the procurement of renewable energy and resource efficiency for public facilities. The Department, as the largest landlord and facilities manager in the country, has a responsibility to fight climate change through sustainable development.
At the same time, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy, also said revised regulations would be published for public comment that would make it easier for solar PV projects to be launched.
Following years of electricity blackouts in South Africa and empty promises based on a false sense of urgency, these developments are promising.
However, there is still a long road ahead before these announcements are actually feeding power into the national grid. This needs a sustained urgency of action.
This will need ongoing commitment and even further expansion of plans to build renewable energy generating plants across South Africa, with both the support of the private and public sector.
Media Enquiries:
Brett Herron, GOOD: Secretary-General & Member of Parliament
Cell: 0825183264
Email: bretth@forgood.org.za
Janke Tolmay, GOOD: Media Manager
Cell: 0733671223
Email: janke@forgood.org.za