- Speaking at the at Mining Indaba Youth Event, Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane said that the youth must feature prominently in the country’s Just Energy Transition programmes and the new economic opportunities that are being created.
Dr Nobuhle Nkabane was appointed as Deputy Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy on 5 August 2021. Image credit: SA Government
“We are firmly committed to exploration of clean coal technologies through carbon capture, utilisation and storage and 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,” said Nkabane.
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The deputy minister stressed that environmental problems are in fact economic opportunities as we seek to solve them. “Government is also engaged in the procurement of additional energy generation to address energy poverty and secure energy supply to society. 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” Nkabane added.
Opportunities in Embedded Electricity Generation
Nkabane further encouraged the youth to seize the opportunity and foster partnerships in the embedded electricity generation by private utilities for up to 100 MW without the need for a licence.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
