South Africa Aims for Aggressive Expansion of Renewable Energy Sources

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa emphasizes the need for swift action to overcome challenges in the renewable energy sector.

South Africa is committed to adopting an “ultra aggressive” approach to integrating renewable energy sources into its power grid, as stated by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. Speaking at the Ministerial Renewable Energy Seminar in Midrand on Monday, he underscored the urgency of accelerating the nation’s renewable energy program under the theme, "Advancing Renewable Energy: A Comprehensive Review of the IPP Procurement Process."

Minister Ramokgopa emphasized that it is in the “collective interest” of all stakeholders to hasten the renewable energy initiative. “We must be ultra-aggressive in the onboarding of renewables. It must be on steroids,” he declared, highlighting the need to resolve existing issues within the system that impede progress. “Capital has choices; it is not waiting for South Africa to resolve its problems,” he noted, stressing the necessity for the country to demonstrate its commitment to attracting investment.

To build a robust renewable energy sector, the Minister stated that building confidence in the system is essential. He urged stakeholders to candidly address the challenges and weaknesses that have affected previous bid windows in the Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (IPPPP). “We need to illustrate our ability to resolve these challenges. If we do not, our aggressive stance will be ineffective,” he warned.

Ramokgopa reiterated that the government aims to procure renewable energy megawatts on a scale previously unachieved. However, he cautioned that without resolving the underlying issues, South Africa would fail to meet its ambitious energy goals. “It is critical to engage in open conversations to identify and tackle these challenges,” he said.

The Minister expressed a strong desire for collaboration, stating that the department is eager to gather insights from industry stakeholders to improve the IPPPP. “We are here to listen and to action the feedback we receive. Our goal is to make South Africa the preferred destination for renewable energy investment,” Ramokgopa affirmed.

He concluded by aspiring for South Africa to lead the globe in renewable energy initiatives, stating, “We want the best renewable energy program, one that is not just the envy of Africa or the Global South, but one that is respected worldwide.”

With this ambitious vision, the South African government aims to harness opportunities in renewable energy for the benefit of the region, emphasizing the urgent need for collective action and collaboration in achieving a sustainable energy future.