Ramaphosa: SA not abandoning coal as energy source
President Cyril Ramaphosa says government remains committed to its plans to solve the energy crisis.
He says South Africa won't be turning its back on coal for power production.
Responding to the State of the Nation debate in Cape Town on Thursday, the president said the country's invested too much in coal-fired power plants.
"We need to dispel this idea that we are abandoning coal as a fuel source. We should all remember that coal-fired power stations provide 80 percent of our energy source right now and we, therefore, continue to provide the bulk of our base load supply into the future.
"Even as international people have asked me, I say we built two mega power stations, Kusile and Madupi that generate some 8000 megawatts at great costs. There is no way we will shut the power stations down."
Ramaphosa told MPs country will play its part in the fight against climate change by reducing carbon emissions.
"We have developed a clear, just and inclusive path towards a low carbon economy and society and as we work to reduce emissions we must undertake adaptation measures to counter the effect of climate change and design our city."
