Page 44 - Energize November 2021

VIEWS AND OPINION

It is clear that, with the unrelenting rise in their 20-year off-take contracts with the also concerns relating to the rate at which
utility electricity prices – combined with national utility expire. This opens the solar panels will reach obsolescence, and
national energy shortages threatening door to a highly cost-effective increase the environmental impact of disposing
security of supply – mines and industry in solar-powered electricity output from of old models. Questions like these will
have a solid economic justification for existing solar farms. Where a solar energy need to be answered creatively and
capital expenditure in this direction. Their facility is already in place – complete with responsibly, to ensure that core principles
success in implementing such schemes – its infrastructure and compliance permits of sustainability are applied as technology
combined with the growing contribution – it is likely that power production can be advances.
from private producers in the Renewable raised considerably by replacing original Recent trends, though, have
Independent Power Producer Programme panels with new, more efficient substitutes. brightened the outlook for leveraging
(REIPPP) – will inform the extent to which renewable energy for South Africa’s
South Africa will need to rely on gas as a Inevitable consequences sustainable development. Seizing the
steppingstone to a cleaner energy future. Pivoting out of the fossil fuel economy, regulatory opportunity for private power
of course, will fundamentally disrupt generation – and making the most of
Competitive advantage our coal industry over time; this has cost-efficient and clean technology –
South Africa’s higher-than-average solar- raised many justified concerns among will contribute towards the country’s
radiation levels range between 4,5 and stakeholders, especially in terms of job movement in the right direction.
6,5 kWh/m in a day, giving us a clear losses and impacts on local economies The focus on renewable energy has
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competitive advantage in pursuing solar in coal producing regions. However, the shifted from cost competitiveness to
PV options. Our annual 24-hour global country’s electricity parastatal has taken questions of scalability and base load.
solar radiation average of about 220 W/ one step closer to reducing its dependency
m puts us well ahead of the United on coal, as South Africa this week signed About SRK
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States with their 150 W/m , and the level a breakthrough deal at the COP26 climate SRK is an independent, global network
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of about 100 W/m for Europe and the change discussions in Glasgow, Scotland. of over 45 consulting practices on six
United Kingdom. The deal includes grants and loans continents. Its experienced engineers
We can also take advantage of the from the United States, Germany, Britain and scientists work with clients in multi-
high efficiencies of the latest global and France, which will assist Eskom in disciplinary teams to deliver integrated,
technologies in solar PV panels. Such is rolling out renewable energy projects, sustainable technical solutions across
the pace of development in this field, that reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and a range of sectors – mining, water,
we could expect to see a trend in private supporting a just energy transition from environment, infrastructure and energy.
solar energy developers upgrading their coal fired power.
panels and related equipment even before Despite the positive shift, there are For more information, visit www.srk.co.za

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