The GOOD party on Friday said it was encouraged to see immediate steps being taken as part of efforts to increase renewable energy in South Africa, amid the ongoing power crisis, and growing climate concerns.
This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a significant change in our energy supply regime, with a focus on adding electricity production capacity as well as diversifying the source of our electricity.
“We maintain that adding capacity through the addition of renewable energy is not only the fastest way but the most responsible given the devastating effects of climate change and the vastly available natural resources in South Africa,” said Brett Herron, Secretary-General of GOOD.
“As GOOD, we welcome the announcement by Eskom that it has now awarded contracts for the provision of battery storage solutions in terms of its flagship Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project.”
This is a key project for large-scale deployment in support of South Africa’s renewable energy strategy, with the majority of the projects also located in the Western Cape.
Earlier this week, GOOD leader Patricia De Lille, the Public Works and Infrastructure minister, announced her department’s intention to publish the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the commencement of the Integrated Renewable Energy and Resource Efficiency Programme (iREREP).
Herron said this programme would be the largest for the procurement of renewable energy and resource efficiency for public facilities.
The department, as the largest landlord and facilities manager in the country, has a responsibility to fight climate change through sustainable development.
At the same time, Environment, Forestry, and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy said revised regulations would be published for public comment making it easier for solar PV projects to be launched.
“Following years of electricity blackouts in South Africa and empty promises based on a false sense of urgency, these developments are promising,” said Herron.
“However, there is still a long road ahead before these announcements are actually feeding power into the national grid. This needs a sustained urgency of action.
“This will need ongoing commitment and even further expansion of plans to build renewable energy generating plants across South Africa, with both the support of the private and public sector.”
