Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has unveiled a comprehensive energy strategy designed to permanently end load shedding while potentially unlocking R2.2 trillion in investments for South Africa’s struggling economy.
The new Integrated Resource Plan, which was announced during a media briefing on Sunday, replaces the 2019 version and represents what the minister describes as a crucial step toward economic recovery, according to EWN.
The plan addresses what Minister Ramokgopa identifies as one of the primary constraints on South Africa’s economic growth: unreliable electricity supply. The strategy includes what officials term an ‘investment program’ that could contribute significantly to GDP growth while creating substantial employment opportunities across the energy sector.
Minister Ramokgopa then emphasised the fundamental connection between energy stability and economic performance during his presentation.
‘There is no economy that grows if the lights are off,’ he stated bluntly. ‘There is no industry that will locate in South Africa if we can’t guarantee them electricity that is available and of good quality and is affordable.’
The minister announced a goal to grow South Africa’s economy by at least 3% before 2030.This growth objective depends heavily on resolving the electricity crisis that has hampered industrial activity and business confidence in recent years.
The scale of proposed investment represents one of the plan’s most ambitious aspects. According toeNCA coverage, the strategy involves ‘R2.2 trillion into the industrialisation of the energy sector,’ with potential to create more jobs across multiple related industries and supply chains.
Minister Ramokgopa positioned the new strategy as both an update and significant departure from previous approaches. He explained that the new plan updates the outdated 2019 one to better match what the country actually needs now suggesting previous planning had become inadequate for addressing the contemporary electricity landscape.
The minister directly linked historical electricity shortages to economic underperformance, noting that ‘load shedding is one of the reasons South Africa’s economy has not been growing in the past.’
This acknowledgment reflects the government’s recognition of the severe economic damage caused by persistent power cuts.
Compiled by Lulama Klassen
First published on Cape {town} etc
Also see: How relatable! Even Cassper Nyovest feels the pain of expensive electricity
