Just Energy Transition Plan and implementation plan

  Video   Just Energy Transition   The Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy received a briefing on the Just Energy Transition (JET) Investment Plan and Implementation Plan from the Presidency's Project Management Office and the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy. The briefing outlined the various investment portfolios within the plan, including progress made and financing secured to date. The plan proposes an investment of approximately R1.5 trillion over five years to support South Africa’s decarbonisation objectives. The Committee raised concerns regarding the impact of the energy transition on workers and affected communities. It reflected on lessons from the closure of the Komati power station and emphasised the need to ensure a genuinely just transition. Members queried the continued reliance on coal, the export of coal, and the role that clean coal technologies could play in the transition. Members also raised concerns about the transition's potential effects on the electricity supply's reliability. They called for alignment between the JET process and South Africa’s broader industrialisation and economic development objectives. The Committee stressed the importance of building local manufacturing capacity and developing skills to support renewable energy and green economy value chains. The Department was requested to provide regular updates on progress and stakeholder engagements concerning JET implementation. The Committee acknowledged the complexity of managing South Africa’s energy transition and reiterated the importance of continuous engagement and oversight to ensure that the JET plan achieves its objectives equitably. The Committee commended the presenters for their focus on the involvement of communities and workers but cautioned against using the term “poor” to describe affected communities. Members emphasised the need to empower local institutions and promote skills development at the grassroots level rather than relying on externally driven initiatives. Concerns were also raised about developed countries' weaponisation of climate change legislation, which could negatively affect South Africa’s economy and trade. The Committee stressed that the JET process must support the country’s industrialisation and economic development goals. Members highlighted the importance of engaging directly with affected communities and proposed a site visit to Mpumalanga to meet with local stakeholders.