The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) stands as South Africa’s blueprint for securing its electricity needs, outlining strategies up to 2030 and sketching projections to 2050.
However, recent assessments have cast a shadow over its efficacy and sustainability. The current iteration of the plan extends reliance on coal-fired power plants, with gas as a supplement, while renewable energy remains on the sidelines due to infrastructure costs. Despite the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s socio-economic impact assessment, critical factors like health implications and environmental costs are notably absent from consideration.
Shockingly, projections suggest a potential loss of 15,300 lives due to extended coal use, with significant health-related expenses unaccounted for in the IRP. Urging a shift towards renewables, recommendations call for a revision of the plan to ensure a balanced, sustainable energy future. This article delves into the complexities and implications of the current IRP, highlighting the imperative for a thorough reassessment in pursuit of a greener, healthier tomorrow.
Read SECTION27’s submissions here:
0 Comments