RES4Africa released a report analysing the reskilling framework necessary for South Africa to achieve a just energy transition away from coal. The report looks at the employment and skills changes needed to shift from a dependency on coal to more renewable energy sources. It also looks at lessons learned from five other countries who are transitioning away from coal.

Entitled A Just Energy Transition in South Africa: Socio-economic needs and the positive impacts of a future low-carbon economy the report was developed by the RES4Africa Foundation in partnership with South Africa’s Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and London-based sustainability consultants ERM. It points out how important it is to make sure job opportunities in the renewable energy chain are created where employment in the coal industry is lost to avoid creating ghost towns.

The IRP2019 shows more than 11,000MW of coal power is meant to be phased out by 2030, which means job losses as power stations are decommissioned. 80% of Eskom’s coal plants are situated in Mpumalanga, so the job losses there could be stark if people are not reskilled to take advantage of new employment opportunities created by rehabilitation of the mines.

Click on the link below for full report

Source: EsiAfrica