Why is south africa so dependent on coal as a form of electricity?

Question: Why is south africa so dependent on coal as a form of electricity?

South Africa is so dependent on coal as a form of electricity for a number of reasons, including:

• Abundant coal resources: South Africa has the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world, making it a relatively cheap and abundant source of energy.
• Existing infrastructure: South Africa has a well-developed coal-fired power generation infrastructure, with more than 90% of the country's electricity coming from coal-fired power plants.
• Economic dependence: The coal industry is a major contributor to the South African economy, employing hundreds of thousands of people and accounting for a significant portion of the country's GDP.
• Lack of investment in renewable energy: South Africa has lagged behind many other countries in investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power. This is due in part to the fact that coal has been the country's primary source of energy for so long.

The South African government is committed to reducing its reliance on coal, but it has been a slow process. The country has set a target of increasing the share of renewable energy in its electricity mix to 27% by 2030. However, many experts believe that this target is too ambitious and that it will be difficult to achieve without significant investment in renewable energy infrastructure.

In addition to the environmental and economic challenges, South Africa also faces a number of social challenges in its transition away from coal. For example, the coal industry employs a large number of people, and any transition away from coal will need to take into account the needs of these workers.

Despite the challenges, South Africa is committed to reducing its reliance on coal. The country has a number of renewable energy projects in the pipeline, and it is expected that the share of renewable energy in the electricity mix will increase significantly in the coming years.