The government remains committed to nuclear power generation to meet the country’s growing energy needs and facilitate economic growth in decades to come, says Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe.

The majority of renewable energy projects, in particular wind and solar, are located in rural areas, far from the main metropolitan cities. These projects therefore have the potential to bring great investment.

More than 300 delegates from industry, academia and government attended SA’s first Industrial Resource Efficiency Conference to establish how industry could best use its resources to become globally competitive.

With energy demand in SA at a critical phase, the efficient use of energy and the establishment of energy policies have become priorities, with special focus on two areas: energy efficiency and renewable energy.

Following a successful public participation programme acknowledging the 5.6 millionth national household electricity switch-on, high-ranking government officials met to discuss energy issues of great importance.