South Africa is drawing on Russia's experience in developing clean energy projects and seeking enhanced cooperation with Moscow, but not only in the energy sector, South African Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa told Sputnik.
When he was asked whether South Africa was using Russian expertise when considering green energy initiatives, Ramokgopa asnweres that his country was engaged with Russia in all aspects of energy ecosystems. On these issues, the authorities are cooperating with the Russian embassy in South Africa, he added.
"Our engagement with the Russians is not only limited to opportunities and technologies around green hydrogen [...] I am looking to expand those opportunities and I am sure that there is a lot of learning and benefits that we can derive from the engagement with our brothers and sisters from Russia," the minister said.
South Africa, one of the most developed countries on the continent, is currently facing a severe energy crisis that threatens to undermine economic stability. The crisis has led to frequent blackouts lasting up to hours to protect the national grid from total collapse.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the Russia-Africa Summit in July that Moscow was working on 30 promising joint energy projects in 16 African countries.