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South Africa’s govt told that green energy, not nuclear is the way to go

Green energy, not nuclear the way to go: German official, Reuters, CAPE TOWN | BY PEROSHNI GOVENDER , 6 Oct 15 Green energy is cheap in the long run and clean compared to “dirty” coal and costly nuclear power, a senior German energy official said on the sidelines of a Cape Town conference, at a time when South Africa plans to expand atomic power generation.

President Jacob Zuma’s government is developing an energy mix that will boost power generation in Africa’s most advanced economy which has been hit by electricity shortages and reduce its reliance on mostly coal generated energy.

“If you want to have expensive electricity you buy nuclear generators, if you want dirty electricity you burn coal,” Rainer Baake, state secretary for energy in the economy ministry, told Reuters, when asked what advice he would have for South Africa which is working on increasing electricity production.

“If you want clean energy in the long run that will be cheaper, you transfer to a renewable system, but the decision has to be made by your own government,” he said on Monday on the sidelines of a renewable energy conference in Cape Town……

South Africa’s government has said that it plans to procure at least 9,600 megawatts (MW) of atomic power which analysts have estimated would cost at least $100 million, making it the nation’s most expensive procurement…..

South Africa, which is battling with power shortages, plans to build a solar park in its Northern Cape province to produce an additional 1,500 MW. The government has previously announced a series of renewable energy projects that would add over 1,000 MW of power to the constrained grid.http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/05/us-safrica-power-germany-idUSKCN0RZ25W20151005

October 7, 2015 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Why USA’s Republicans are fighting renewable energy

promotion of renewable energy is linked in many people’s minds with attempts to limit climate change — and climate denial has become a key part of conservative identity

you need to follow the money. We used to say that the G.O.P. was the party of Big Energy, but these days it would be more accurate to say that it’s the party of Old Energy. In the 2014 election cycle the oil and gas industry gave 87 percent of its political contributions to Republicans; for coal mining the figure was 96, that’s right, 96 percent. Meanwhile,alternative energy went 56 percent for Democrats.

And Old Energy is engaged in a systematic effort to blacken the image of renewable energy, one that closely resembles the way it has supported “experts” willing to help create a cloud of doubt about climate science.

Enemies of the Sun, Paul Krugman, NYT, OCT. 5, 2015, Wind and solar used to have a reputation as hippie-dippy stuff, not part of any serious approach to our energy future, and many people still have that perception. But it’s way out of date. The cost of wind power has dropped sharply – 30 percent in just the past five years, according to the International Energy Agency.

October 7, 2015 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Today’s renewable energy headlines

Solar and Wind Just Passed Another Big Turning Point

October 7, 2015 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment

Middle East’s economies to benefit from Iran nuclear deal – IMF

IMF: Iran Nuclear Deal To Boost Middle East Economic Growth Radio Free Europe, October 06, 2015 The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Iran’s nuclear deal with world powers will raise economic growth in the Middle East and North Africa next year, as the lifting of sanctions brings a rebound in oil production and exports.

October 7, 2015 Posted by Christina Macpherson | general | Leave a comment