Renewables the way to go

IN A historic moment on Wednesday Energy Minister Jeff signed power purchase agreements with renewable energy producers, ending a more than two-year delay to further unlock a rapidly expanding industry in which South Africa can thrive.

The 27 projects, mainly in rural parts of the country, will amount to R55.92 billion in new direct investment in the energy sector and create muchneeded jobs.

Environmental groups have called the signing a reawakening of South Africa’s world-class Renewable Energy Power Producer Procurement Programme.

Two years ago, the benefits of the initiative were plain to see. It had already contributed 4 294 gigawatt hours to the national grid and saved 4.4 million tons of carbon dioxide.

But amid a push for nuclear energy, and a revolving door of energy minister appointees, the signing had been mired in delays.

Then president Jacob Zuma last year appointed then minister of state security David Mahlobo as energy minister. He replaced Mmamoloko Kubayi.

In March last year her predecessor, Tina JoematPettersson, was axed from the position.

The latest delay saw the high court throw out a bid by the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa and Transform RSA to block the deal, which they said would lead to at least 30 000 job losses in Mpumalanga, home to five Eskom coal-fired power stations.

The continued postponement caused uncertainty in the industry and among investors, and shortterm job losses as the initiative came to a standstill.

This signing signals SA’s commitment to the Paris Agreement with the projects expected to offset 8.1 million tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Moreover, it signals the defeat of the Zuma-era nuclear state-capture cabal, which has held South Africa in a vice grip for so many years.

Closer to home, with the drought beating down on Capetonians, forced to abide by severe water restrictions, one thing is clear – climate change is real and creeping up on us faster than expected.

While we reap the economic rewards and more from the signing, the planet is the real winner.

So are the future generations who will inherit it long after we have departed.