New Energy Department outlines key priorities (South Africa)

New Energy Department outlines key priorities
By: Creamer Media Reporter
20th May 2009

The newly-established Department of Energy on Wednesday announced its short- to medium-term priorities for the sector at a conference Cape Town.

The new department, which was formed when President Jacob Zuma split the Minerals and Energy department into two portfolios, will focus on issues such as renewable energy, energy efficiency and new generation capacity. It also announced that it planned to launch a green jobs initiative.

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The first priority outlined by Kumalo was the universal access to energy. In this regard, Khumalo stated that government would particularly concentrate on supplying electricity to poor communities.

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The second priority would be to diversify the country’s energy mix away from fossil fuels and particularly focus on the development of renewable energy. South Africa has huge, untapped potential in renewable energy generation including solar, wind, and small-hydro, said Khumalo.

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