Realities actually pushing government in the right direction regarding power
19 October 2019
The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) that was announced yesterday by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Gwede Mantashe, is a significant step in the right direction. The energy mix recommended by the plan indicates a substantial increase in the use if wind, solar and hydro power.
This is the first time that Mr Mantashe referred to industrialisation that can be accomplished outside of the power grid by making use of renewable power installations. In addition, it seems that the potential of these resources to help stabilise the power grid itself is now also being recognised.
The FF Plus has been advocating for an energy policy of this kind for years now. Agriculture can be stabilised during disaster-drought years while industrial development will not be adversely affected by load shedding.
Furthermore, it can relieve the pressure on urban infrastructure as very rural areas can enter the modern economy by generating their power locally.