South Africa’s New Energy Plan Boosts Gas Power Role While Adding Nuclear and Clean Coal Provisions
South Africa’s updated energy blueprint mandates higher utilization for gas power plants while allocating significant capacity to nuclear and clean coal technologies. The plan aims to transform the country’s electricity mix away from coal dependency while addressing infrastructure challenges.
Major Shift in South Africa’s Energy Strategy
South Africa’s Cabinet has approved a revised Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2025) that significantly alters the country’s electricity generation roadmap, according to reports from the Department of Electricity and Energy. The plan increases the minimum load factor for initial gas-to-power plants to 50% by 2030, a substantial departure from previous flexibility targets. Analysts suggest this change reflects the government’s intention to use gas generation as a cornerstone for industrial energy demand.