Mantashe: Coal to remain 'dominant energy supply'
Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe says coal will remain the dominant supply of energy as the country moves towards a new energy mix.
Mantashe briefed media on Friday after Cabinet’s approval of the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) by Cabinet.
The plan sets out the country’s energy mix for the next decade and is expected to put to bed South Africa’s electricity crisis.
“It must be noted that coal’s installed capacity will be lower than the current installed base, it will remain the dominant energy supply contributing 59% of the energy volumes required to meet demand,” Mantashe said.
The plan will be published in the government gazette on Friday.
Although the IRPs are expected to bring a solution to the country’s energy crisis, Eskom's problems are still far from over.
The country’s power utility was forced to implement Stage 2 load shedding from Wednesday, after a loss in capacity at various power stations
The load-shedding is likely to continue into the weekend after Medupi units 3, 4, and 5 broke down due to coal and ash-handling issues.