Ramokgopa defends move to continue using coal-fired power stations, says it’s in SA’s ‘best interest’

JOHANNESBURG - Minister of Electricity Kgosientso Ramokgopa has again moved to settle the heated debate about coal plants.

Ramokgopa defended the decision to keep the coal plants up and running, despite the global push for renewable energy over climate concerns.

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He was speaking on day two of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM)’s policy conference in Boksburg on Wednesday.

In addition to a hefty price tag on maintaining the old and ailing coal plants, some environmental activists are worried about the impact on the country’s climate targets.

However, Ramokgopa said coal would continue to form part of the country’s energy mix, including gas, nuclear, and renewables.

"But in that equation, you must remember that you need to protect the South African economy. The South African economy is on its knees because of load shedding and therefore it is in your best interest to continue exploiting these coal-fired power stations to meet your needs as you build new generation capacity of renewables so they can replace your coal generation capacity."

He said better technology was needed to address the climate crisis.

"You are not sitting with a coal problem, you are sitting with an emissions problem. Resolve the issue of technology - we’ve got sufficient know-how."

Eskom has been heavily criticised by communities in Mpumalanga for what was labelled the disastrous decommissioning of the Komati coal plant.