February 3, 2022
3 mins read

South Africa vows to transform energy sector

S. Africa committed to transition from coal to clean energy. Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe said coal accounts for about 70 per cent of the primary energy consumption, 75 per cent of electricity generation, and 30 per cent of petroleum liquid fuels in the country’s energy mix

South Africa is committed to a transition to cleaner energy, but coal will for some time be vital for the country’s economic growth and employment creation, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe said at the coal colloquium in Pretoria.

Mantashe said coal accounts for about 70 per cent of the primary energy consumption, 75 per cent of electricity generation, and 30 per cent of petroleum liquid fuels in the country’s energy mix, Xinhua news agency reported.

  “The transition must speak to the contribution of coal to energy security, sizeable contribution to the gross domestic product, large contingent of employees, and other relevant economic factors. Our climate change agenda cannot afford to ignore these national interests. They must be integrated into our plans to move from high carbon emissions to low carbon emissions,” said Mantashe.

 He called on the captains of industry to demonstrate the commitment to just transition and the country’s national interests in coal mining and coal power stations.

 Mantashe said there is a potential for the country to export coal to China.

  “Strong international coal prices of around 130 U.S. dollars per tonne have raised the attractiveness of exports, with most of South Africa’s export coal going to India and Pakistan. China is also reopening opportunities for imports from South Africa,” he said.

 Meanwhile, President Cyril Ramaphosa invited scientists from BRICS countries to work alongside South African scientists in further researching the various characteristics of the Covid-19 virus and its mutations.

Ramaphosa made the call when he appointed the Chairperson of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Covid-19 Koleka Mlisana to lead a task team of South African researchers in the area of genomic sequencing to work with their scientists from other BRICS countries, Xinhua news agency reported.

This initiative is a contribution to intra-BRICS cooperation to strengthen preparedness and responses to the pandemic as articulated in the New Delhi Declaration, which was adopted at the 13th BRICS Summit in September 2021.

 This cooperation takes place within the context of the establishment of the BRICS Vaccine Research and Development Centre in a virtual format.

Ramaphosa

Ramaphosa pointed out that the cooperation would boost the BRICS countries’ preparedness and responses to the pandemic.

  “The collaboration among BRICS countries is intended to broaden our knowledge of the Covid-19 virus not only for the benefit of member countries, but for the global community more broadly. Humanity will only overcome this pandemic if the countries of the world work in closer cooperation by sharing information, expertise and resources. This cooperation must be underpinned by the principles of solidarity, partnership and mutual respect,” said Ramaphosa.

 He said the team from BRICS countries would share information on laboratory, clinical and epidemiological experiences regarding the pandemic to help clinicians and policy-makers to prepare for future manifestations of the disease.

ALSO READ: Boris: UK-Africa investment can help alleviate climate change

 “The spread of the different Covid-19 variants to all corners of the earth underlines the importance of effective surveillance, scientific transparency and collaborative research. Every country is affected and every country must be able to develop responses based on sound scientific evidence,” Ramaphosa said.

 He stated that scientists would conduct research on omicron at the BRICS Vaccine Research Centre which is in the country.

Previous Story

Typhoon jets scrambled

Next Story

Boost for space clusters across Britain

Latest from AFRICA NEWS

Violence against children hit unprecedented levels

In Somalia, it reported 2,568 violations against 1,992 children.In Nigeria, 2,436 grave violations were reported against 1,037 children The UN kept Israeli forces on its blacklist of countries that violate children’s rights

Kenya’s Odinga Slams Adani Deal U-Turn

Before the cancellation of the deal, Odinga was among the leaders who defended the Adani Group….reports Asian Lite News Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga on Friday expressed disappointment over the cancellation

Yemen Faces Famine Alert

The humanitarian response to the Yemeni crisis has been severely hampered by funding shortfalls…reports Asian Lite News The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has warned that famine

Nigerian leader’s pardon draws criticisms

During an event to mark the 26th anniversary of Nigeria’s return to democracy, Tinubu pardoned the “Ogoni Nine,” including celebrated writer Ken Saro-Wiwa, and described them as “national heroes.” Nigeria’s President Bola
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Iran doesn’t recognize ‘unilateral sanctions’ against Russia

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh has said Iran does

Hassan Vows unity, reforms

The new Somali leader’s immediate duty is to appoint a