Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe
TMinister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe announced on Monday that the deadline for public comments on the draft 2023 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) will be extended by one month to 23 March 2023.
Mantashe was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 30th Mining Indaba in Cape Town this week.
“I don't want to be accused of rushing the deliberations or avoiding comment,” the minister said.
The long-awaited draft IRP, which sets out the country's energy future path, was widely criticized when it was first announced, primarily due to the apparent reduction in renewable energy capacity compared to the 2019 revised version. Criticized.
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy had hoped to complete the IRP by May 2024, but that deadline will be brought forward by a month, giving the plan time to be scrutinized by the National Economic Development and Labor Council. There isn't much time left yet. Council.
The plan proposes, among other things, to delay the closure of some of Eskom's coal-fired power plants to avoid the economic impact of premature decommissioning. If approved, it would be good news for the country's coal miners, whose total sales fell sharply last year.
In its industry outlook, the South African Minerals Council noted that there was no indication or clarity in the draft IRP as to the date of revision or the amount of deferral.
The Minerals Council cited Eskom's integrated report, noting that the state power utility burned 102.4 megatonnes of coal in 2022-2023.
Eskom's coal demand will significantly decline if the planned decommissioning of 24,100 megawatts by 2034 progresses.
“As a result, export markets will play a key role in sustaining mining and logistics jobs,” the Minerals Council added.
On the other hand, coal export volumes have decreased significantly due to the logistics crisis caused by Transnet. Coal miners also have to deal with a wave of negative sentiment towards coal, which is impacting long-term investment in the industry, the Minerals Council said.