South Africa has raised concerns following the United States' withdrawal from the Just Energy Transition (JET) partnership. This development follows the revocation of the US International Climate Finance Plan under Executive Order 14162, signed by President Donald Trump, marking the US exit from the Paris Agreement and affecting global climate cooperation.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) noted the withdrawal's direct impact on South Africa's Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JETP). The US announced its departure from the International Partners Group (IPG), which supports JETP initiatives in South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam. As a result, financial pledges have been withdrawn, and grant projects in the planning or implementation phases have been canceled.
Despite these developments, South Africa remains committed to international climate agreements and is evaluating the implications of the US decision with global partners. DIRCO Minister Ronald Lamola emphasized that this situation could be seen as a transformation opportunity rather than a loss.
Lamola also underlined the broader economic ties between South Africa and the United States, noting that the US is South Africa's second-largest trading partner after China. In 2023, bilateral trade reached US$22 billion, with key exports including platinum, motor vehicles, citrus, chemicals, wines, and nuts. South Africa hosts 601 American companies, providing 143,000 jobs, while 22 South African firms are invested in the US, supporting around 6,900 jobs.
Amid these geopolitical shifts, Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane reaffirmed the utility's commitment to enhancing electricity generation and reliability. Eskom is advancing its maintenance strategy and preparing to bring new capacity online to ensure a more stable supply ahead of the winter season.
Kusile Unit 6 is in its final commissioning phase and is expected to be synchronized with the grid by 18 March. Medupi Unit 4 is also scheduled for synchronization by the end of March or April. These additions, alongside improved maintenance execution, aim to strengthen South Africa's energy infrastructure and reduce load-shedding frequency.
However, challenges remain. Eskom recently implemented Stage 3 load-shedding due to unplanned losses and to replenish emergency reserves. Maintenance delays and adverse weather conditions contributed to unplanned capability loss, peaking at 18,000MW before improving over the weekend. By Saturday morning, 3,200MW had been restored, including two units at Kusile, with additional capacity expected by Monday, including the critical Koeberg Unit 2.
Marokane stressed the importance of maintaining discipline in executing maintenance schedules and ensuring unit reliability post-maintenance to avoid further disruptions. "Our goal is to complete maintenance, derive value from it, and prevent slippages that cause additional strain on the system," he stated during a media briefing in Pretoria.
As South Africa navigates international and domestic energy transitions, the government continues to balance diplomatic engagement, infrastructure development, and economic resilience in its pursuit of sustainable growth.
Source: SA News - Article 1
Source: SA News - Article 2