The Minister of Energy, Jeff Radebe, says his department hopes to conclude the review of the Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) by August.
The IRP is the country’s future roadmap for electricity planning. It will outline the energy mix for the next 20 years. The Energy Department and its subsidiaries outlined their plans for the country concerning energy in Centurion on Thursday. Minister Jeff Radebe was appointed in February in 2018 and many are looking to him to give direction on the much awaited IRP.
He has told media that the plan would be ready for review by mid-August.
The department plans to diversify the country’s energy mix by having 30% clean energy by 2025. Early in April, Radebe signed agreements with 27 independent power producers after more than two years of delays. The contracts are expected to inject life into the country’s renewable-energy program by releasing more than R50 billion worth of investments over the next two to three years.
Minister Radebe further announced that the country intends to build a refinery to address increased fuel demand in the country. This builds on earlier discussions by government around increasing capacity to lower reliance on fuel imports.
The minister also says as part of bringing certainty to the energy sector, he intends to stabilise governance issues at State Owned Companies that fall within his ministry.
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