KEY POINTS
- South Africa’s energy plan balances security, access, and sustainability.
- Renewables are integral to South Africa’s future energy mix.
- Regional cooperation can reduce energy costs and improve supply.
While delivering universal energy access is crucial for Africa, ensuring energy security is just as important.
This was the view of Jacob Mbele, director-general of South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, speaking at Africa Oil Week on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
South Africa’s energy roadmap focuses on security and sustainability
For South Africa, the Integrated Resources Plan, supported by the Energy Action Plan, serves as the government’s roadmap to ensure energy security while addressing access and sustainability.
Mbele emphasized that energy security is about more than matching supply with demand or choosing one technology over another—it’s about ensuring system sustainability.
“That’s why energy systems consist of a mix of technologies,” Mbele said. He noted that the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPP) has played a key role in accelerating the adoption of renewable energy in South Africa.
In the short term, the country will continue with the initiatives outlined in the IRP 2019 and the EAP. Looking ahead, Mbele said there are multiple pathways to ensure energy security. “These cannot be based solely on technical analysis. They must also consider government policy and energy sovereignty,” he added.
He also stressed the importance of considering national growth plans alongside renewables in the country’s energy strategy.
“In my view, our plans for net zero must put innovation at the forefront,” Mbele said.
According to a report by ESI Africa, Priscillah Mabelane, chair of the National Transmission Company of South Africa, announced that the board has approved investment in transmission line construction over the next two years to integrate more renewables into the grid.
“We have secured 112 billion rand for the Transmission Development Plan over the next five years,” Mabelane said. This investment will support nearly 30 gigawatts of new utility-scale generation by 2029, with 11 gigawatts targeted in the next two years.
Addressing financing and risk is key to unlocking clean energy
Mabelane expressed a desire for African countries to become a global hub for renewable energy, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation to achieve this goal. She highlighted the importance of addressing financing barriers to energy projects, calling for innovative models and partnerships between governments and the private sector.
“Strengthening inter-African collaboration is critical as global protectionism risks leaving us behind,” Mabelane said.