Cabinet has approved the Just Energy Transition Implementation Plan (JET-IP), Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced in a briefing in Pretoria on November 20.
“The implementation plan will guide South Africa's transition to a low-carbon economy through the scaling up of renewable energy sources,” she explained during a post-Cabinet media briefing.
The JET-IP sets out several interventions South Africa needs and investments required for the country to transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient economy in line with the nationally determined contribution presented to the United Nations (UN).
Ntshavheni said Cabinet was of the view that the JET-IP demonstrated South Africa's commitment to a just transition in line with the country's energy mix.
“The JET-IP will be driven by a combination of reforms in the energy sector, including the Mpumalanga just transition, new energy vehicles, which are electric vehicles, and green hydrogen, among others,” she said.
Ntshavheni explained that the JET-IP served as a response to South Africa's commitments under the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, as well as South Africa’s National Development Plan commitments.
“The JET-IP will enable South Africa to gradually meet its carbon emissions reduction commitments, while at the same time it will ensure inclusive economic growth, energy security and employment,” she said.
Ntshavheni added that Cabinet had noted the negative impact electricity and logistics constraints continued to have on the manufacturing, mining, transport and utilities sectors of the country.
“Cabinet is confident that noticeable progress will soon be visible in eradicating both loadshedding and constraints within the freight and logistics industry,” she said.