COAL IS AFFORDABLE IN THE ENERGY MIX - MINERGY
Minergy has reiterated that coal will remain an essential component of national energy mix for years to come, as the company ramps up production at its Masama Coal Mine, the country’s first private owned coal miner.
The company is on record proactively campaigning for clean coal use and its operations have recently hit profits following the Ukraine, Russia standoff that has led to increased global coal demand. With the local economy looking to diversify the country’s energy mix from coal fired power plants, the company warned that coal will not be easily discarded. The company says coal is not only for baseload electricity generation but also for the prosperity, considering the baseload power that the fossil resource creates for developing nations. “Notwithstanding the desire to switch to greener options in developing countries, it is in no way affordable. We believe that the solution lies in considering clean coal technologies such as HELE which is a process of High Efficiency, Low Emissions,” said Minergy Chief Executive Officer, Morne du Plessis. Minergy says a HELE plant will burn less coal, emit less carbon dioxide and release fewer pollutants, giving it a smaller environmental footprint. “This, coupled with carbon storage, will support the coal narrative going forward,” Du Plessis said. He said coal and renewables are not enemies, citing that the use of coal has to be managed in a responsible manner by all parties, working towards a sustainable mix of coal and renewables. “To opt only for renewables is irresponsible and has significant economic implications, especially for developing continents such as Africa and Asia.”
Minergy believes transition to renewable energy sources cannot take place without coal, as it will deny those living in poverty, access to affordable energy.
“Any energy transition impacts not just the mining and power generation industry, but also peripheral industries such as cement, breweries, hospitals and any boiler operations,” said Du Plessis.