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South Africa Pushes 3GW in Gas Projects to Tackle Energy Deficit: Reports

© AP Photo / Denis FarrellEskom's electricity pylons snake across a hill in a Johannesburg suburb, Thursday, Nov. 24. 2011.
Eskom's electricity pylons snake across a hill in a Johannesburg suburb, Thursday, Nov. 24. 2011. - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 05.11.2023
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South Africa is suffering from an energy crisis, which forced the state utility company Eskom to impose daily blackouts to prevent the national grid from overloading. This year, blackouts have intensified compared with their frequency in 2022, according to the enterprise.
South Africa is accelerating plans for 3 gigawatts (GW) of gas-fired power generation to help overcome an energy crisis that the country suffers from, media reported, citing Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa.

"One of the things receiving priority is around the 3,000 megawatts of gas. As you know, gas, from an emissions' standpoint, is a step-down compared to coal, so it's important we accelerate that," Ramakgopa was quoted by the media as saying.

According to the minister, among the government's steps to enhance energy generation is the creation of a 2 GW mobile facility and a 1 GW plant near the country's special economic zone Coega, the outlet revealed. He also noted that these projects are currently in the procurement phase.
South Africa's Minister in the Presidency responsible for Electricity, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, center, looks on during his visit to the Kusile coal-fired power plant near Emalahleni, South Africa, Monday, May 22, 2023 - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 03.09.2023
Sub-Saharan Africa
SA's Electricity Minister Says High Load-Shedding Levels Planned to Replenish Reserves
Moreover, in June, over 5.5 GW of new green energy projects are expected to commission by 2026, the minister noted, according to media reports. Moreover, the country wants to prolong the life of its 40-year-old 1.94 GW Koeberg nuclear plant by 20 years.
To overcome the energy crisis, South Africa engages in international cooperation. For example, in late August, the state signed an agreement with China's largest grid operator on renewable energy cooperation, which includes donation to South Africa of some solar and battery units for use in public facilities, local media revealed.
Furthermore, on 16 August, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Sergey Mochalnikov and South African Ambassador to Russia Mzuvukile Jeff Maqetuka held talks about building a gas power plant in the African country.
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