Just energy transition must include youth

• Published date: 13 May 2022
• Publication title: South African Official News

Mineral Resources and Energy Deputy Minister, Dr Nobuhle Nkabane, says the youth have a vital role to play in South Africa's just energy transition.

The Deputy Minister was speaking to youth in mining on the final day of the Invest in Africa Mining Indaba held in Cape Town this week.

'The youth must feature prominently in this Just Energy Transition programmes and the new economic opportunities that are being created. We are firmly committed to the exploration of clean coal technologies through carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).

'Young people must equally take an interest in this, as any success in this regard would mean the country can continue exploiting its coal reserves for the foreseeable future whilst achieving our net zero emission targets. Environmental problems are in fact economic opportunities as we seek to solve them,' Nkabane said.

She encouraged the youth to take advantage of government's procurement of additional energy generation.

'Young people must participate in the procurement of new energy capacity. Part of the commitment made when entering into such procurement deals, is local participation which is where you can come in as the youth.

'Government has further promulgated as law the generation of embedded electricity generation by private utilities for up to 100 MW without the need for a license. Yet again, young people must seize the opportunity and foster partnerships,' she said.

The Deputy Minister reiterated government's support to the future miners of the country.

'The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy is further...