South Africa is fast-tracking the implementation of a 3-gigawatt (GW) gas-fired power generation initiative to address its energy deficit, which is negatively impacting the economy.
South Africa, the most developed economy in Africa, is grappling with frequent power outages due to the regular malfunctions in the aging coal-fired power plants of the state-owned utility Eskom. Officials estimate that up to 6 GW of additional generating capacity is needed to put an end to rolling blackouts.
As part of the government's strategy to bolster power generation, there are plans for a 2 GW mobile facility and a 1 GW plant in the vicinity of Coega, situated in the Eastern Cape, with Ramakgopa noting that the government is in the procurement phase for these projects.
A top priority is the development of 3,000 megawatts of gas capacity. Gas, in terms of emissions, represents a cleaner alternative to coal. Therefore, it is crucial to expedite this transition.
It's worth noting that the South African government's initial proposal for a 3 GW gas-fired power plant in Richards Bay on the eastern coast faced opposition from environmental groups advocating for an accelerated shift to renewable energy projects, in line with the global trend moving away from environmentally harmful fossil fuels.
Back in June, Ramakgopa announced that South Africa anticipates the launch of over 5.5 GW of new renewable energy projects by 2026.


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Great seeing African countries putting in more effort for clean energy
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South Africa should focus on improving the efficiency of its existing power plants and reducing energy consumption.
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Dear Ann Nyambura Your climate love has received over 50 agrees! We have reached out to South African Government by email and requested a response. I will keep you updated on any progress! To reach more people and increase the chance of a response, click the Share button above to share the review on your social accounts. For every new member that joins We Don't Have Time from your network, we will plant a tree and attribute it to you! /Adam, We Don't Have Time
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Gas project is the best way forward however the management should laid down proper structure to prevent any damages cause to environment
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This is is a significant step in diversifying its energy mix. It's crucial to ensure a balanced approach with renewables for long-term sustainability and emissions reduction.
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Iam trying to understand why this is a climateđź’šđź’š!
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@rosebellendiritu Am as well trying to fathom the same.
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Gas is a great alternative ... Positive step
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Gas projects often provide a reliable and cleaner energy source compared to some alternatives, which is a positive step in the right direction.