By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

South Africa’s beleaguered state-owned power utility, Eskom, has unveiled an ambitious and critical plan to overhaul its energy mix, aiming to transition to predominantly clean energy sources by 2040. The detailed strategy, presented to lawmakers on Wednesday, outlines a significant shift away from the nation’s heavy reliance on coal, which currently dominates its power generation.

Under the proposed plan, Eskom intends to dramatically expand its renewable energy capacity from its current level of less than 1 gigawatt (GW) to a substantial 32 GW by 2040. Concurrently, the utility plans to more than halve its coal-fired power generation, reducing its installed coal capacity from the existing 39 GW to just 18 GW over the same period. This transformative shift is seen as pivotal for South Africa to meet its climate commitments and ensure long-term energy security.

The utility’s strategy involves a dual approach to achieve these targets. Eskom will implement a “repowering” initiative, replacing outdated equipment at its older coal-fired power stations, many of which are slated for closure, with newer, cleaner technologies such as renewable energy or gas-fired plants. Additionally, the plan includes the development of new renewable energy projects, to be pursued through an in-house renewable energy business unit and strategic partnerships with private companies.

Despite the boldness of these clean energy aspirations, Eskom highlighted a major obstacle hindering its progress: its crippling debt burden. The utility currently grapples with approximately 400 billion rand (about $22.31 billion) in debt, which it states continues to significantly slow down crucial investments required for the rapid deployment of renewable energy infrastructure. This financial challenge underscores the complex path ahead for the energy giant, as it seeks to balance economic stability with urgent environmental imperatives.

The successful implementation of this plan is crucial not only for addressing South Africa’s chronic electricity shortages and environmental footprint but also for positioning the nation within the global energy transition landscape.