PRETORIA – The South African government is inviting its citizens to participate in shaping the nation’s energy future by providing feedback on the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2023. This call for public consultation underscores the country’s commitment to participatory democracy and inclusive policy-making.
According to South African Government News Agency, the draft IRP 2023 was published in January this year to outline the country’s future energy mix and to gather public comments on the plan’s various assumptions, scenarios, and observations. This initiative aligns with the constitutional mandate that emphasizes responding to people’s needs and encouraging public participation in policy-making. The department has set a deadline of February 23, 2024, for submissions, allowing citizens to have a direct impact on addressing current energy challenges.
The IRP, a document subject to continuous revision to adapt to changing circumstances, was first introduced in March 2011, with the latest review occurring in 2019. The 2023 update aims to estimate South Africa’s long-term electricity demand, considering costs and the country’s commitments to climate change, to achieve a balanced and sustainable energy generation and demand.
The plan proposes strategies for short-term energy solutions up to 2030 and outlines the country’s energy mix for securing long-term energy supply until 2050. It highlights the need for immediate interventions to address generation constraints and the supply gap, with a vision to achieve a Net Zero electricity sector by 2050. The draft IRP 2023 suggests increasing the allocation for new gas-to-power generation and emphasizes the importance of renewable energy technologies, despite their cost and supply security challenges.
The government’s appeal for public engagement in the IRP 2023 consultation process reflects a broader strategy to involve citizens in critical decisions that affect their lives, fostering greater cooperation, collaboration, and partnership building. This approach not only aims to improve energy policies but also strengthens the fabric of South African democracy by ensuring that the voices of its citizens are heard and considered in the governance process.