Environment groups in push for clean renewable energy
ENVIRONMENTAL activists have urged new Energy Minister Jeff Radebe to take swift action to ensure the country eradicates air pollution and coal-fired power stations‚ including the multibillion-rand under-construction Kusile power station.
In a letter to Radebe‚ environmental groups Earth Life Africa‚ groundWork and the Centre for Environmental Rights‚ urged him last week to agree to a meeting on the future of energy.
The three groups are running the Life After Coal campaign, which discourages investment in new coal-fired power stations and mines‚ and encourages the retirement of South Africa’s coal infrastructure and a swap to renewable energy sources.
The groups said Radebe’s ministry is of critical importance in determining future energy security for all‚ specifically on how South Africa meets its needs for clean and affordable energy for the poor.
“We look forward to a robust engagement with you‚” the letter’s authors said.
They have also called for the public to be allowed to comment on the integrated resource plan (IRP)‚ the plan for the next 30 to 50 years‚ which outlines how electricity will be sourced.
“Given South Africa’s exceptionally high contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions‚ the potentially catastrophic implications of climate change‚ and the country’s particular vulnerability to such impacts‚ we believe urgent steps to ensure a rapid‚ but just transition away from coal and towards publicly owned renewable energy are required‚ combined with efforts to improve energy efficiency‚” they wrote.
The groups outline 11 points which they believe the IRP needs to urgently address to achieve a clean energy plan for South Africa. These include a plan that: ý Takes into account the international move away from fossil fuels and nuclear power;
ý Is based on the latest scientific information and global best practices; ý Is consistent with South Africa’s international obligations;
ý Promotes human rights through access to clean energy; and
ý Does not constrain renewable energy projections and investments.
The groups call for the energy plan to be in the interests of all citizens.
GroundWork director Bobby Peek said what was evident from scientists was that renewable energy was far cheaper than coal-fired power stations and easier to manage. “We wrote to Radebe to say to him that what South Africa needs is cheap and affordable energy‚ which is healthy and clean‚ to create a safe environment for all.”
He said groundWork believed that it was possible to get Eskom to move completely to renewable energy.
“We have highlighted our concerns with the IRP to Radebe and called for an urgent meeting with him.
“We believe that if you have decentralised‚ municipal-led renewable energy products‚ you will have enough energy supplies to reach all South Africans.”
Peek said Kusile and the Medupi power stations were set to each cost R30-billion to build‚ but were now at about at least R180-billion each.
“If we shift to renewable energy‚ the government can greatly reduce the amount of money spent on energy.”
What needed to be recognised was that the end of coal would be brutal‚ with workers and communities set to be the biggest losers.
“It’s definitely not going to be the likes of Glencore‚ Exxaro and the Guptas who will lose out.
“We as a country will be left with unemployment‚ a poisoned environment and unhealthy people.
“We have to talk to unions to say how we are going to respond to the end of coal, which is coming as it is no longer financially feasible.
“The minister needs to jump on this change and get ahead of the curve.”
CER pollution and climate change programme head Robin Hugo said the IRP was meant to be updated every two years but‚ seven years down the line‚ the government was still using the original document‚ which was wholly outdated in terms of energy demands and costs and the country’s greenhouse gas commitments.
“The scientific fact is that renewable energy is far cheaper than coal and the country’s energy plan going forward has to be based on the least cost combined with technology.
Citizens rights to a healthy environment had to be protected, she said.
“Eskom does not recommend new coal or nuclear power as a least-cost electricity option.” – TimesLIVE
The minister needs to jump on this change and get ahead of the curve