Renewable energy to power the grid

Investment in wind and solar energy projects can help avert energy crisis right now

Renewable energy projects have the power to contribute to the national electricity grid right now
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The growth of the renewable energy industry – initially through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme – will play a significant role in South Africa’s transition into a low-carbon economy and in meeting the country’s carbon emission reduction commitments made at COP17 in Copenhagen in 2009.

But renewable energy does not only make environmental sense: South Africa is experiencing a critical power shortage, with a reserve margin between electricity demand and supply of around 1%. To be able to reliably keep the lights on, a 15% reserve margin is required.

We need power and we need it quickly. Only utility-scale renewable energy projects can meet this need in the short- to medium term, and with relatively cheap, clean power.

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