Energy diplomacy could become a key facet of SA’s international outreach.
In addressing its urgent need for expanded energy supplies South Africa must also transition towards cleaner green energy as other countries are trying to do with this having the added advantage of assisting transition to a more sustainable Green economies. Innovative multi-stakeholder and multi-sector approaches are needed to best achieve both sets of objectives. Although it has abundant coal reserves which currently provide most of its energy requirements coal is regarded as a source of dirty emission-producing energy to be abandoned while the increased discoveries and production of gas along with oil in neighbouring countries offer notable more attractive options if not the optimal for an eventual shift to green energy. South Africa’s abundant sunshine for solar power and the envisaged production of green hydrogen at such locations as Boegoebaai the new port being developed on its west coast are however among more promising features of expanding clean energy sources in the future.
Key facets of the latest steps proposed by the Minister for Electricity and Energy, Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, to address the country’s energy needs tend to indicate moves towards the new approaches that are needed. There is greater appreciation that the broader context must be taken into account with his Department improving cooperation vis-a-vis a range of stakeholders including various other government entities. The special emphasis he has now also placed on the role of the private sector is to be especially welcomed along with his intentions to strengthen the contribution of green renewable energy while simultaneously recognising the need for a continued usage of coal in the transition period. He has also recognised the wide variety of related challenges needing to be addressed including the upgrade of the country’s entire energy-infrastructure along with expanded production, availability and affordability of energy generally.
The relevance of an improved energy supply with an increased contribution from cleaner energy is considerable especially if it’s production interacts strategically with its ever-increasingly complex and relevant context. In this the involvement and partnership with the private sector remains crucially important throughout as does the relevance of a greener sustainable society moving increasingly towards eco-sustainability where clean energy has a special role. Outreach from government and energy-producers to better sensitise the public about what cleaner energy usage means for them and actively involve them would seem critical.
Greater attention should especially be given to coordination between the development of new energy technologies and relevant regulatory frameworks ranging from policies to governance implementation. Other factors of special relevance include those of finance relating both to the R&D in developing innovative technologies as well as in funding the roll-out of energy systems utilising the results. The importance of linking the laboratory to the market place can’t be stressed too much and this again relates directly to the key role of the private sector acting in an enabling partnership with government and other stakeholders.
In this situation the development and implementation of new energy technologies to improve opportunities offered by existing hydro-carbon energy sources through reducing their emission capabilities should surely have particular relevance for South Africa as it does for many other countries having such forms of energy sources.
Benefits of cleaner energy for Africa include those for trade given that products produced with it are better able to meet criteria now being imposed on imports by many major trading partners. An example of this is the current implementation by the European Union (EU) of the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), the world’s first carbon border tax aimed at embedded greenhouse gas emissions of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU which has begun to affect South African trade. Greener energy will help overcome such barriers while generally helping to strengthen development of the bio-economy which is of growing relevance for Africa especially as it is an integral part of a global transition towards a greener economy.
In such moves it would seem important that bio-fuels are not especially favoured if other cleaner fuel sources are available given that they could deny land usage for agriculture and commercial forestry, the former has special importance with much under-utilised potential especially in the context of the bio-economy and commercial forestry is already being a key success story of the bio-economy in Africa.
The international context should be utilised for leveraging gains for South Africa with this including monitoring and applying activities from other countries to active partnerships and leveraging commercial opportunities. Energy diplomacy should be developed as a key facet of South Africa’s international outreach especially as South Africa could make itself the continental, if not a global, hub for the JET (Just Energy Transition) of clean energy especially applicable in developing countries. The fact that Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Dr Dion George, has made acceleration of the implementation of the Just Energy Transition (JET) Programme one of his key priorities is great news for clean energy in the broader green economy with multi-sector developmental results. Also positive news is that South Africa should receive some US$ 2.4 billion (R 44 billion) from a climate pact under the JET Partnership which includes the EU, Denmark, Germany, France, UK, Netherlands, and USA.
South African leadership in the JET obviously has special relevance for its relations with Africa and gives it a new important role to play if used suitably. This in turn synergises with the renewed importance of Africa for South Africa’s international relations which Minister of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) Ronald Lamola underlined.
Nigeria will be the location for an African Energy Bank (AEB) but South Africa could play an important role in the bank’s activities to promote innovation, sustainability, and economic growth in energy. South Africa also should be able to give stronger leadership for the implementation of the African Energy Transition Program (AFREC) and the Energy Strategies and Initiatives Program of the African Union (AU) with a broadened approach inter alia linked to the bio-economy, rural sustainability, innovative R&D, interfaces between private sector and other stakeholders.
The opportunities offered seem considerable but innovative approaches in the broader context with multi-stakeholder partnership could be an especially useful means to deliver results. Strategic actions could help fulfil energy needs while helping secure a stronger voice for South Africa internationally.
Dr John Maré is a former South African diplomat now an adviser on international public
affairs and diplomacy.
John Maré: jhemare@worldonline.co.za
The article was first published in the Business Day on 22 August 2024.
Original article: https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2024-08-22-john-mar-sa-needs-greater-focus-on-cleaner-energy-rollout/
