South Africa’s transition from coal-fired electricity generation to other sources is a “complicated problem to solve”, in the sense that the solution cannot depend on one organisation, or entity, alone, diversified mining group Exxaro Resources CEO Mxolisi Mgojo told delegates at the 2019 edition of the Joburg Indaba.
This was in response to a question by African Rainbow Energy & Power CEO Brian Dames, who added that South Africa would also need to consider global trends.
Focusing on South Africa’s “unique and current situation”, Mgojo said the solution did not stem from having one energy source or another.
The issue was rather the huge levels of inequality and unemployment, a failing education system and serious corruption issues, he stated.
These were just the country’s socioeconomic problems, before even getting to the energy debate, he added.
South Africa would have to deal with its social and economic challenges while transitioning to using new energy sources, Mgojo elaborated.
However, the need to transition was the “right path” for South Africa in the long term, he noted.