Energy experts gathered at the City Power Energy Indaba 2025 this week agree that South Africa’s large coal reserves still have a role to play in the country’s push for net-zero emissions and energy affordability.
This sentiment was shared by panellists and experts, who gave their inputs during the two-day gathering, which concluded at the Melrose Arch on Wednesday.
South Africa reportedly has 9.9 billion metric tons of proven coal reserves, making it one of the world’s largest coal producers and consumers.
Echo Energy Africa Co-Founder and Managing Director, Naphtally Mafa, said technology has a role to play in ensuring South Africa produces clean energy without abandoning its reliance on its coal reserves, as this commodity is still central to the country’s economy.
Mafa indicated that the country’s challenge lies not in availability, but in the sustainability of its emissions.
He added that without investing in more efficient use of existing resources and cleaner technologies, the country faces serious risks.
Mafa stated during a panel discussion that clean coal can become a reality to minimise emissions.
“Where I am from, Limpopo, we say, you do not have to kill the cows because you have a donkey. We can keep both. The coal is the centre of our economy, while energy affordability is part of the issue.
“And with 300 to 350 years of coal reserves, coal can still play an important role, because coal is not really a problem, but the emissions and sulphur in the atmosphere. What we need to do is to take the coal as a fleet stock and invest in technology, because coal is like water; it can split, and when you do, you can clean it up,” he said.
The two-day energy solutions-driven gathering comes just weeks after the Minister of Electricity, Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, admitted that South Africa’s high price of electricity is not sustainable.
Following a recent ANC NEC meeting last month, Ramokgopa announced that he has commissioned a review of electricity tariffs.
This decision comes amidst numerous protests by South Africans who are grappling with the impact of escalating energy costs and other societal issues.
Mafa’s call for the importance of creating platforms that allow people to work with and be employed by innovators in greener technologies was also reflected by City Power CEO, Tshifularo Mashava, who pointed out the need for affordable and innovative energy solutions.
“We understand that energy affordability is a big issue. The conversations should be about how we, as a collective, keep the costs of electricity as low as possible. Energy affordability must be ensured.
“We must also be thankful that our coal reserves are still large, as we still get our supply from Eskom, and we are collaborating with them on how we deal with emissions,” she said.
