South Africa's Energy Minister, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who now heads the newly established Energy and Electricity Ministry, has underscored his commitment to transitioning away from coal, which is currently a key energy source for the country.
"I am going to be ultra-aggressive on ... renewable energy. You are going to see an exponential share," the minister said, speaking to journalists on Monday, emphasizing his intent to attract investors and establish South Africa as a leader in renewable energy development within Africa.
Ramokgopa's statement marks a departure from the previous administration's resistance to rapid decarbonization.
This announcement comes amidst a period of relative stability, with South Africa experiencing over 100 days without power cuts – a notable achievement given the years of crippling blackouts.
The creation of the new ministry, separating energy from mining, is seen by analysts as a strategic move to decouple South Africa's energy policy from its reliance on coal.
With vast potential for solar and wind power, the country possesses the resources to become a renewable energy powerhouse. However, policy uncertainty has hampered investment in the sector, leading to concerns about the delayed decommissioning of coal-fired power stations.
Ramokgopa acknowledged this, stating that the transition to green energy "has taken a bit longer than what is necessary" and outlined plans to engage with businesses to address the obstacles hindering their participation in the renewable energy market.