Providing a reliable energy supply in order to
mitigate the impacts of load shedding, promoting local power generation
resources and infrastructure and also developing South Africa’s green hydrogen
as a reliable energy carrier are the core objectives of the Draft Energy Policy
which is now open for public comment.
In line with Section 195 (1) (e) of the South
African Constitution and Section 17 of the Municipal Systems Act (No 32 of
2000), the public and all interested parties are invited to comment on the
draft policy. Comments will be accepted until 15 January 2021.
The City drafted a new Energy Policy in order
to create an enabling environment for the execution of viable power
infrastructure projects. The energy transformation will require strong
collaboration and partnerships.
The reason the Municipality is seeking to make
the transition towards generating its own renewable power and purchasing it
from Independent Power Producers (IPPs) include;
- The cost of power from Eskom
is higher than the IPP cost,
- Renewable content of the Eskom
supply not being high enough to meet the City’s 2050 renewable target of 100
percent and.
- The pressure that has been put
by the carbon tax introduction on the private sector to reduce carbon
emissions, which in turn pressures the Municipality to provide a low carbon
source of power.
Included in the policy is the eThekwini
Integrated Resource Plan (EIRP), which is the first local government integrated
resource plan in South Africa.
The EIRP, which aims to increase renewable
energy and flexible generation supply in the eThekwini Municipality as a
contribution to global climate action, aiming to achieve at least 40 percent
renewable energy supply by 2030 and 100 percent by 2050, is presented for
public consultation together with the Energy Strategic Roadmap of 2019 as the
Draft eThekwini Energy Policy.
Changing energy landscapes in South Africa
requires local government to adequately implement aggressive energy reforms
driven by alternative energy technologies.
Sbu Ntshalintshali from the eThekwini Energy
Office said the diversification strategy of energy supply will create
sustainable jobs while restoring energy security.
“The development of hydrogen economy will
position Durban as a major exporter of green, blue and gray hydrogen. Key
sectors of economy such as transport, buildings and industry will be deep
decarbonised. We are facing unprecedented scenarios of shortages in the liquid
fuel industry as well. Renewable hydrogen will play a key role in decarbonising
the entire energy value chain,” said Ntshalintshali.
To access policy documents, visit https://bit.ly/35KMPMJ