Cape Town – South Africa’s energy policies are under scrutiny as Energy and Electricity Deputy Minister Samantha Graham-Maré highlighted significant shortcomings in the country’s energy blueprint. Speaking before Parliament’s Energy and Electricity portfolio committee, Graham-Maré emphasized that the Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) of 2019 is outdated and in urgent need of review.
During a briefing on the nation’s energy strategies, Graham-Maré criticized the IEP for failing to incorporate new technologies in energy generation. She asserted that the plan’s existing framework does not align with the current technological advancements and needs a comprehensive update.
“The Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) was designed several years ago and has not kept pace with recent developments in energy technology,” Graham-Maré explained. “It is critical that we review and update this plan to ensure it accommodates new technologies that are shaping the future of energy generation.”
The Department of Energy and Electricity recently presented both the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and the IEP to Parliament. According to Graham-Maré, the IRP, which outlines the country’s energy generation strategy, also exhibits major deficiencies. She noted that the IRP’s modeling was outdated and did not reflect advancements in energy technology.
“We found that the modelling on the IRP was outdated and does not make allowance for new technologies, particularly renewable energy sources,” Graham-Maré said. “The IRP has been returned to the department for revision after we identified significant flaws.”
The Deputy Minister indicated that the department has completed the analysis of submissions from various stakeholders regarding the IRP. However, the revised policy will only be submitted to the Cabinet for approval after addressing the issues highlighted in the submissions.
“The Integrated Resource Plan is very much overdue,” Graham-Maré added. “We have received numerous submissions pointing out its flaws, and it is imperative that these concerns are addressed before finalizing the updated plan.”
The delay in updating South Africa’s energy policies has raised concerns among industry experts and stakeholders, who argue that modernizing the plans is essential for addressing the country’s energy challenges and aligning with global technological advancements.
As the department moves forward with the revision process, the focus remains on ensuring that the updated policies effectively incorporate new technologies and strategies to support South Africa’s energy needs and goals.
In the meantime, the Department of Energy and Electricity continues to seek public input and collaborate with affected parties to refine and enhance the country’s energy framework. The updated policy is anticipated to provide a more robust and forward-looking approach to energy generation and management in South Africa.