CSIR Receive $292K for Energy Transition Planning in South Africa
The entire world is moving towards decarbonization, which should lead to net zero climate-altering gas emissions by 2050. It is essential that all businesses and initiatives – both local and international – remain focused on this target in order to channel efforts in the right direction. In Africa, the scenario is complex. However, to achieve concrete results, it’s necessary to look towards a blend of efforts between the public and private sector to bring in a fundamental shift towards tripling electricity access pace to fast-track energy access in the region. In this note, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has signed a $292k (R5 million) grant agreement with the French public development bank, Agence Française de Développement (AFD), to facilitate further development of South Africa’s just energy transition goals.
President Cyril Ramaphosa unveiled the new Just Energy Transition Investment Plan, created by the South African government in accordance with the political statement, during the COP27 summit in November.
The energy industry, electric vehicles, and green hydrogen are the three priority areas for finance in South Africa’s just energy transition strategy. The plan is grounded in a “just” philosophy that aims to prevent leaving behind those who will be most directly impacted by a move away from coal, such as workers and communities, especially women and girls.
To start South Africa’s 20-year energy transformation, the plan specifies funding requirements totaling $98 billion (R1.7 trillion) over five years. It will be necessary for both the public and private sectors to invest.
The CSIR in a statement highlighted the benefits of the collaboration noting it will support the development of a holistic cost-benefit analysis study on the repurposing of two coal power plants and enterprise development opportunities of both the solar PV and battery storage value chain.
The CSIR plans to ensure that there are sufficient provisions to the “fair” component of the “just transition,” taking the development of renewable energy projects and the shutdown of coal power plants into consideration.
Bethuel Sehlapelo, executive cluster manager of CSIR Smart Places expressed excitement on the initial proceedings. Sehlapelo also commended the AFD as it supports South Africa’s transition to a just energy system.
The CSIR claims that the just energy transition program will serve as a model for how nations can cooperate to hasten the switch to green energy and technologies. In addition to supporting South Africa’s move away from coal and quickening its transition to a low-emission, climate-resilient economy, it notes that the COP26 pledge is anticipated to prevent 1-1.5 gigatonnes of emissions over the next 20 years.