Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan emphasized the significance of the Komati power station as a practical example of South Africa’s commitment to the “Just Energy Transition.” In addition to being a model for this transition, the power station also offers insight into the future of Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned electricity utility.
Following its decommissioning in October 2022, the Komati power station has become the first coal-fired power station within Eskom’s fleet to be transformed into a renewable energy hub. Minister Gordhan clarified that the closure of the power station should not be viewed as a complete shutdown, but rather as a repurposing effort aimed at preparing it for a different future—one that aligns with global trends and expectations.
Minister Gordhan asserted that the Komati power station serves as a testing ground for South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, a process that will determine how the country navigates this critical shift in energy production. The minister emphasized the significance of the Komati site, describing it as the place where the practical implementation of this transition takes place.
Eskom envisions that the Komati site will contribute approximately 370MW of solar, wind, and battery storage power to the national grid in the coming years. This demonstrates Eskom’s commitment to integrating renewable energy sources into the electricity supply system.
Minister Gordhan underscored the importance of the term “just” in the Just Energy Transition, emphasizing the need to ensure that local communities can adapt to the changes taking place at the Komati power station. He called for the exploration of new avenues for economic inclusivity, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. By cultivating new economic activities in the area, Minister Gordhan believes it is possible to reduce unemployment, increase entrepreneurship, and foster a smoother transition to the new energy landscape.
Addressing the issue of employment for former power station workers, Minister Gordhan stated that they have either been redeployed to other plants or are undergoing reskilling programs to prepare them for alternative employment opportunities. The minister expressed that various ideas and initiatives are being developed to tackle the challenges of job creation, training, and adapting to new technologies
“There are both a number of ideas but also the beginnings of new programmes which will address the issue of jobs, the issue of training and people development and learning how to deal with new forms of technology that we have to inevitably deal with,” he said.
