Countries pursue strategies to leverage on coal
In the quest to attain energy security and sustainable development, regional economies endowed with substantial coal reserves are actively pursuing innovative strategies to leverage the resource to better their energy supplies.
While the global debate surrounding the future of coal continues, coal remains a vital energy source for Africa, where 600 million people still lack access to electricity.
Nations with significant coal reserves, including South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Swaziland, are grappling with electricity shortages due to a lack of investment. The coal industry holds the potential to bridge this gap and drive economic development.
Recognising the importance of coal in sustainable development, the region is actively modernising their coal-fired power plants and investing in coal-to-liquids facilities. For instance, South Africa is revamping its coal-fired power plants to enhance energy security.
Botswana is planning to construct a US$2,5 billion coal-to-liquids facility to reduce reliance on imported petroleum products. Senegal is reactivating its power plant, and Zimbabwe is expanding its coal exports, contributing to revenue growth and meeting global demand.
With an estimated 16,4 billion tonnes of coal at their disposal, these nations are exploring how coal can play a pivotal role in providing baseload power, fostering economic growth, and addressing the pressing issue of energy poverty across the continent.
At the forefront of these efforts is the World Coal Association, a key player in shaping discussions and initiatives for the sustainable development of the global coal industry.
The African Energy Chamber (AEC), representing the voice of the African energy sector, has therefore announced a partnership with the World Coal Association for the upcoming African Energy Week (AEW) 2023 conference, scheduled for October 16–20 in Cape Town.
This collaboration is aimed at promoting the adoption of clean coal technologies and exploring the role of coal in alleviating energy poverty in Africa.
Beyond energy security, the effective utilisation of coal resources promises to generate employment opportunities, enhance capacity building and facilitate technology transfer across the entire coal value chain.
This includes areas such as mining, storage, transportation and more. The coal industry also offers a significant avenue for increasing export revenues, which can be strategically reinvested to strengthen various sectors of the economy, including critical infrastructure development.
NJ Ayuk, the executive chairman of the AEC, commends the World Coal Association for its commitment to fostering dialogue on the vital role of coal in promoting sustainable development and transitioning towards a low-emissions future. He highlights the historical significance of coal as the backbone of the global economy and its potential to drive Africa’s development.
The AEW 2023 conference will host representatives from the World Coal Association in exclusive networking sessions. Here, cutting-edge innovative and clean coal technologies and projects will take centre stage. These initiatives are actively contributing to Africa’s energy renaissance, improving access to dependable and cost-effective energy, and driving industrialization across the continent.-ebusinessweekly
