DA MP joins cross party initiative to introduce feed in tariffs for renewables.

Renewable energy is much spoken about in South Africa, although there never seems to be any progress. It is frustrating to watch the South African government plan massive investments into coal and nuclear which will lock this country into a particular (mostly uncertain) energy future while there are at the same time numerous other technologies that need a small leg up, but can then flourish on their own.

A couple of MPs from various parties have decided to take a stand on this matter. Dr Ruth Rabinowitz (IFP), myself (DA), Lance Greyling (ID) and Judy Chalmers (ANC) have come up with a private members legislative proposal aimed at introducing Feed In Tariffs for renewable energy production. The proposal has gone forward in the name of Dr Rabinowitz.

It’s time to diversify energy supply – give renewables a chance

An opinion piece by Gareth Morgan MP – DA Spokesperson on Environmental Affairs

A wise man once said: “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”. The risk is that if something goes wrong, there will be no back up. Eskom has up to now invested practically all of South Africa’s electricity generating capacity in one basket. There may be reasons for that decision in the past, particularly the availability of cheap coal, but conditions are changing, and there are new opportunities on the horizon.

The solution to securing South Africa’s energy future lies in diversifying the country’s energy generation sources so that we stop depending almost entirely on coal. The key to diversification is renewable energy, which is quickly gaining momentum globally. Japan and Germany are the largest consumers of photovoltaic cells in the world despite their unfavourable geographic locations. In 2005, wind power generated 18.5% of electricity in Denmark. South Africa is still lagging behind these international trends and government has made very little progress in moving away from coal power.