Making the case for CSP in SA's energy mix

Siyabonga Mbanjwa, MD of Sener Southern Africa</span>The government's Integrated Resources Plan (IRP) of 2010 stated that about 18,000MW (17% of South Africa's energy mix) of new electricity capacity needs to be in the form of renewable energy, in line with South Africa's international commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% by 2025.In the past few months, the role of renewable energy has become a subject of intense debate, especially regarding the reliability and cost.