South Africa puts storage, wind and Solar at heart of energy plan

South Africa’s National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has put out an energy plan for public comment, and its 130 plus page report shows how it is so tough for African countries to acquire more electrical energy which is dominated by renewables. The Regulator is bound by national laws to consult with the public on each appropriation of energy. The plan is asking approval for 11.3 GW of new generation, with 4.5 GW of it being coal and gas. The plan was put together by the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and includes costing data on things like water for thermal turbines, and clean-up of fossil fuel plants, in all the costings. On the surface of it, it…