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SA should not rush its transition away from coal, says Gwede Mantashe

'Let's manage our transition step by step rather than being emotional,' says mining and energy minister Gwede Mantashe. File photo.
'Let's manage our transition step by step rather than being emotional,' says mining and energy minister Gwede Mantashe. File photo.
Image: Freddy Mavunda/Business Day

South Africa must manage its transition away from coal-fired power generation systematically and not rush a switch to renewable energy sources, mining and energy minister Gwede Mantashe said on Thursday.

“I am not saying coal forever ... I am saying let's manage our transition step by step rather than being emotional,” Mantashe told a mining conference, when asked how China's pledge to not build new coal power stations abroad would affect SA.

“We are not a developed economy — we don't have all alternative sources,” he added.

Reuters

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