Page 33 - Energize May 2021

VIEWS AND OPINION

A case for a net zero carbon economy

Information from SAWEA

head of the 2021 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
26th Conference of Parties, referred to as COP26, the South African Wind Energy
AAssociation (SAWEA) has explained the role of renewable energy, as South Africa prepares
for a net zero carbon economy.
“South Africa’s Low-Emission Development Strategy, backed by President Ramaphosa, was
formulated last year and commits to moving towards a goal of net zero carbon emissions by
2050, which will require various interventions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” explained
Ntombifuthi Ntuli, CEO of SAWEA.
President Ramaphosa reaffirmed this commitment in his recent State of the Nation
Address (SONA), stating that Eskom, which is the country’s largest greenhouse gas emitter, has
committed in principle to net zero emissions and to increase its renewable capacity. This was
followed by the presidential co-ordinating commission on climate change meeting for the first
time, last month, to work on a plan for a just transition to a low-carbon economy and climate
resilient society. Ntombifuthi Ntuli
“The energy sector contributes close to 80% towards the country’s total greenhouse gas
(GHG) emissions of which 50% are from electricity generation and liquid fuel production alone,
hence investments in renewable energy, energy efficiency and public transport, in line with the Although the published IRP 2019 goes
country’s energy roadmap, the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019, is the key to reducing GHG up to 2030, it is assumed that wind power
emissions,” added Ntuli. will constitute an even bigger share of new
Wind energy is given the opportunity to play a leading role, and it is widely agreed that the generation capacity beyond 2030, as the first
country, as well as its economy and workforce will benefit from a net zero future. This is easy to wind farms will commence decommissioning
understand considering that the installed capacity of 3,3 GW of wind power has reduced carbon from 2034 onward; this will create a capacity
emissions by 28,8 Mt CO2 to date. gap that will be closed by building more wind
It is no surprise then, that the increase in renewable energy capacity has been prioritised power capacity. This transition project should
in the country’s key planning documents, starting with the National Development Plan which result in a total emission reduction budget
commits to the procurement of 30 GW of renewable energy by 2030, supported by the IRP2019, for the entire electricity sector up to 2050 of
which commits to the procurement of 14,4 GW of wind by 2030. 5470 Mt CO2 cumulatively, according to the
This commitment is further supported by the Economic Reconstruction & Recovery Plan, IRP 2019.
which outlines a plan to accelerate the implementation of the IRP 2019, to provide a substantial SAWEA views South Africa as an ideal
increase in the contribution of renewable energy sources, battery storage and gas technologies. case study for large scale deployment
This economic recovery plan will ensure that South Africa rapidly achieves decarbonisation of its of renewable energy and wind power in
power system over the next decade and beyond. particular on the African Continent.
“We know that the key consideration for achieving net zero emissions by 2050 is that this “We demonstrate that with the right
massive transition of the electricity sector will reduce the country’s demand for coal resources. combination of policy instruments, a
The need to shift from a carbon intensive power system to sustainable power generation coincides country can successfully develop energy
well with the end of life of the ageing coal power fleet, rendering this transition process a natural infrastructure and drive economic growth
and gradual one,” added Ntuli. that includes domestic and foreign
In the long term, decommissioning of coal plants will increase gradually as they reach end of investment, socio economic development
life. The IRP stipulates a plan to decommissioning of 11 GW of coal by 2030, with a further 24,1 and job creation, all whilst driving down
GW of coal power expected to be decommissioned between 2030 and 2050. This capacity will be the price of electricity and reducing GHG
replaced by a combination of wind, solar PV, battery storage and gas. emissions,” concludes Ntuli.

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