Johannesburg - Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister and ANC NEC member Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma’s criticism of Western countries, that are seemingly bullying South Africa into dumping coal in favour of renewable energy, has been vindicated. This, as the UK has approved coal mining at Whitehaven coal mine for the first time in 30 years.
In an interview last month with The Star, she said it was ironic how some Western countries were pushing for South Africa to dump the use of coal in favour of renewable energy while their economies were built on the use of coal.
“Why do we think that those trucks on the N3 and N2 are full of coal going to the port? Are those people going to eat that coal, they are going to burn it and make energy, then they say we must stop it, no,” she said
Britain's Department for Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities Secretary Michael Gove has given the go-ahead for the Whitehaven coal mine to start operations.
The proposed mine will emit 52 000 metric tons of direct CO2 emissions in its final year of operation before being decommissioned in 2050.
In early November, France and Germany signed loan agreements to each extend €300 million (R5.4 billion) in concessional financing to South Africa to support the country’s efforts to reduce its reliance on coal through a just transition to cleaner energy sources.
According to a statement by the National Treasury, the agreement was acknowledged and welcomed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a ceremony during the 27th UN Climate Change Conference (COP27).
The Treasury added that the signing represented a significant milestone in the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) announced at COP26 in November last year.
“The JETP is a long-term partnership between South Africa, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. The first initiative of its kind, the JETP aspires to support South Africa in accelerating its journey to a low-carbon economy and climate-resilient society,” said the Treasury.
Andreas Peschke, the German ambassador to South Africa, said they were very happy about these agreements, as they represent a very concrete implementation of our partnership.
South Africa continues to be dependent on coal to produce most of its electricity, and the coal sector remains significant to the country’s national economy and the livelihood of several communities.
Ismail Momoniat, acting National Treasury director-general, said the South African government welcomed concessional funding.
“While South Africa still requires more support for its just transition path, considering the scale of the required transition in the context of the current socio-economic challenges of high unemployment, a high level of poverty, and inequality, this funding will assist in addressing the challenge of financing the critical adaptation and mitigation programmes and supporting resilient, sustainable, and inclusive growth,” Momoniat said.
The Star