By July Ndlovu
South Africa, like other emerging economies, relies on coal not merely as a source of energy but as a lifeline that sustains jobs, industrial growth, and economic stability. Yet, as global pressures to decarbonise mount, there is an increasing tendency to overlook the essential role that coal plays in our nation. Addressing the gap between ambitious clean energy goals and the everyday realities faced by millions of South Africans is essential for a sustainable and equitable energy transition.
As we navigate an increasingly complex global energy landscape, a sober evaluation of coal's role in our country is urgently needed. For many, coal represents an outdated mode of energy production—a relic of the industrial past. But for millions across South Africa, coal remains a fundamental pillar of energy security, economic stability, and progress. Ignoring this reality risks undermining the very fabric of our energy resilience.
Re-evaluating coal’s role in energy security
Energy security is not a luxury but a necessity, particularly for developing countries like ours. South Africa relies on coal for about 80% of its electricity, a reality unlikely to change drastically in the short term. Despite the push for renewable energy, coal remains the most reliable and cost-effective source for many regions within our country. Wind and solar energy, while promising, are still intermittent, and the costs and logistics of large-scale storage solutions are yet to make them viable replacements for coal on a national scale.
Consider our peer economies like India and China. Coal is not just a stopgap for these nations but a cornerstone of their energy strategy. It powers essential industries, creates jobs and fuels economic growth in ways that other sources simply cannot match. This isn’t to say South Africa should not aggressively pursue renewables. Rather, our energy strategy should reflect a pragmatic mix, one that considers the unique socio-economic needs of our nation while steadily incorporating cleaner technologies.
Innovation, not abandonment
The narrative that coal cannot coexist with sustainability needs re-evaluation. The coal industry today is not simply extracting energy in the ways of the past; it is undergoing a significant transformation, investing heavily in cleaner and more efficient technologies. Take carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, which is reducing CO₂ emissions from coal plants around the world. Advanced coal gasification and ultra-supercritical power plants are reaching levels of thermal efficiency once thought impossible. These technologies prove that coal can adapt and remain viable within a low-carbon framework.
At our operations, we are implementing strategies to enhance energy efficiency, reduce idling times, and minimise emissions. Initiatives such as the Pilot Scale demonstration plant, which uses a biological process for the treatment of mine-affected water, installed at the Emalahleni Water Reclamation Plant and developed in partnership with Mintek and TIA, demonstrate that coal can coexist with environmental responsibility. This passive water treatment plant harnesses nature-based solutions to reduce environmental impact, addressing mine-affected water while conserving energy.
The misconception that coal has to be abandoned to achieve sustainability is misguided. With a concerted focus on innovation, coal can be part of a circular economy. By-products from coal, such as fly ash and gypsum, are already extensively used in industries like construction and agriculture, reducing waste and lessening the need for virgin materials. This, in itself, aligns with global sustainability principles and underscores the possibilities for integrating coal into a responsible energy future.
Coal and renewables: a balanced partnership
A responsible energy strategy does not ask South Africans to choose between coal and renewables. Instead, it builds a bridge between them. Around the world, hybrid energy models are proving that coal can work alongside renewables to create a resilient and flexible energy system. Hybrid power plants integrate coal with solar and wind to balance the grid, ensuring that power is available even when renewables falter. Such systems not only improve reliability but also reduce overall emissions, a model well-suited for a country like South Africa with abundant coal resources and growing renewable capacity.
Consider Colorado, where solar has been integrated into a coal plant, using solar-generated steam to enhance plant efficiency and lower coal consumption. This kind of innovation should inspire our energy policy, focusing not on dismantling coal but on evolving it within a diversified energy mix. Let’s apply this approach to South Africa by investing in technology that brings coal and renewables together to create an energy system more dependable than either could achieve alone.
Economic reality: coal’s socio-economic impact
To view coal purely through an environmental lens is to overlook its socio-economic impact, particularly in regions like Mpumalanga, where our coal operations support entire communities. Coal remains a major employer, contributing to livelihoods, local economies, and social stability. In these areas, coal provides not just energy but opportunity, sustaining jobs and community development through investments in healthcare, education, and infrastructure. We share the value created with our employees and shareholders, ensuring that our operations contribute to the nation’s socio-economic growth.
In regions where renewables cannot yet provide the stability or scale needed, coal is the anchor of energy security. Phasing out coal too quickly without a robust transition plan could leave millions without access to reliable power, exacerbate unemployment, and hinder economic development in communities that depend on coal-driven industries.
A call for pragmatic policy
The path forward requires balanced, realistic energy policy. Coal is not an obstacle to sustainability but a resource that can be innovated upon, refined, and integrated into a cleaner energy strategy. Policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental advocates must work together to foster collaboration between coal and renewables, recognising that both play critical roles in South Africa’s energy future. Investment in technologies that support hybrid systems, along with policy frameworks that incentivise responsible coal usage, can create a resilient energy sector.
South Africa’s 100-year coal history is a testament to its adaptability and importance. It has driven industrial development, supported metallurgical research, and powered our economy for generations. And with the right innovations and policies, it will continue to do so while supporting our national commitment to environmental stewardship.
July Ndlovu is the CEO of Thungela.
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