Government will continue to focus on the renewable energy independent power producers programme to boost the country’s electricity production.

Speaking during his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Jacob Zuma said that he will continue the fourth window of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme, to take advantage of wind, solar, biomass and other technologies that increase the opportunity for rural development.

One of the major projects in this regard is Grand Inga Hydro Power. In October last year South Africa signed the Grand Inga Hydro Power Project Treaty with the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This massive project has the potential to generate 40 000 megawatts of hydro-electricity. “Our country will benefit enormously from this milestone project,” said Zuma.

Zuma told the nation that government needs to respond decisively to the country’s energy constraints in order to create a conducive environment for growth. “To prepare for the implementation of the energy plan, we need to finalise the legislation that relates to the restructuring of the energy industry as envisaged by the Independent System Market Operator Bill, the Integrated Resource Plan and other policies affecting the energy sector.”

According to the president, the country’s current situation calls for a radical transformation of the energy sector, to develop a sustainable energy mix that comprises coal, solar, wind, hydro, gas and nuclear energy. The transformation will require structural changes in the manner in which government departments, affected state owned companies and the industry as a whole address the energy challenges.

Zuma pointed out that the energy plan also calls for the injection of capital and human resources into the energy sector as well as the identification of innovative approaches to fast-track procurement and delivery by government in the energy sector.

To prepare the institutional capacity, government is in the process of converting the National Nuclear and Energy Executive Coordinating Committee of Cabinet into the Energy Security Cabinet Sub-committee. The sub-committee will be responsible for the oversight, coordination and direction of activities for the energy sector. The sub-committee will also ensure that Eskom receives the support it requires to fulfil its mandate and that it remains focused on achieving its goals and targets.

To achieve the country’s energy security goals, Zuma said that state owned companies involved in the energy sector, such as Eskom, the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation and the Central Energy Fund, will have to adapt to the redefined roles to achieve these objectives.

“Work needs to be done at a technical level on all forms of energy especially nuclear energy and shale gas with regards to funding, safety, exploitation and the local manufacture of components. Nuclear has the possibility of generating well over 9000 megawatts, while shale gas is recognised as a game changer for our economy,” he said. “We will pursue the shale gas option within the framework of our good environmental laws.”