Article by Jurg van Dyke and Bianca
Pollastrini
Without Prejudice October 2011
South Africa's electricity supply industry is still heavily
reliant on coal-fired electricity production. Currently 88% of the
country's supply of electricity is generated by coal-fired
power stations. In terms of the Department of Energy's
Integrated Resource Plan 2010 – 2030, the coal-fired
generation capacity is to be reduced to 48% of the total production
capacity by 2030. In order to achieve this, a significant increase
in the production of electricity from renewable energy resources is
required.
Various mechanisms are available to government to promote the
generation of renewable energy. These mechanisms were recorded in
the National Energy Regulator of South Africa's (Nersa)
Regulatory Guidelines of 16 March 2009 (Refit Regulatory
Guidelines) as follows:
