South Africa’s Ramokgopa Says Coal Exit Won’t Follow Foreign Agendas

South Africa · ENERGY

Ramokgopa’s message on South Africa coal exit

Ramokgopa is not saying South Africa will abandon the energy transition entirely. He is saying the country will pursue it on its own terms and pace, with coal retained longer than climate advocates want.

The minister has repeatedly argued that South Africa has a coal problem in emissions terms rather than an absolute coal problem. His stance is that the country is not abandoning coal, even as it builds cleaner capacity.

Bloomberg reported in January 2026 that Ramokgopa said South Africa was reluctant to tap billions in climate finance because of the cost and strings attached. That reluctance sits at the heart of his argument against externally imposed decarbonisation timelines.

The money and power stakes behind coal

South Africa accepted the Just Energy Transition Partnership, known as the JETP, as a way to help finance a difficult shift away from coal. The $8.5 billion package was announced at COP26 in November 2021 by rich-country backers.

But officials and critics have fought over the conditions attached, the speed of coal closures, and the sovereignty implications of wealthy states setting the pace. Ramokgopa’s comments reflect a domestic political criticism that the transition is being framed as a development obligation imposed by the West rather than a locally chosen industrial strategy.

The Komati closure has become a symbol of that tension. Ramokgopa has called the shutdown an injustice, noting that 1,000 MW of coal capacity was removed while only 217 MW of alternative energy replaced it.

Grid stability and the case for keeping coal

South Africa has suffered severe electricity shortages and load shedding in recent years. The coal fleet remains the backbone of baseload power and industrial electricity supply.

Extending coal plant life can therefore be presented as a pragmatic response to grid fragility. That argument conflicts with climate commitments and investor expectations, but it resonates with a public tired of blackouts.

As early as March 2023, Ramokgopa was pushing to delay the decommissioning of some coal plants. He wanted to assess whether they could be kept online longer to ease power shortages.

The great-power contest over South Africa’s energy

The JETP gives Western donor governments a quasi-diplomatic bargaining relationship with South Africa over decarbonisation. But South Africa is also deepening energy ties with China, which changes the negotiating landscape.

Recent reporting indicates that a South African delegation received firm commitments from Chinese companies for more than 100 GW of new power capacity over the next decade. That reinforces the idea that South Africa can shop among powers rather than rely only on the West.

South Africa’s foreign-policy posture under the coalition government includes promoting the Global South and reforming global governance. This fits Ramokgopa’s broader argument that South Africa should not accept a transition dictated externally, a theme explored in our pillar on Africa: The New Scramble.

What a slower South Africa coal exit costs

South Africa’s export industries face potential penalties from carbon-border taxes in key markets. Dragging out coal dependence raises the cost of those exports even if it helps domestic reliability in the short run.

The country is both a major emitter and a vital supplier of minerals and industrial output. Coal supports not just electricity but also the wider minerals-energy complex and export-oriented heavy industry.

Reports in 2025 and 2026 indicate South Africa’s new energy planning still does not abandon coal entirely. One report said coal could fall from 58% to 27% of the mix by 2039 under the new plan.

What to watch next

The immediate question is whether South Africa formally revises its coal decommissioning schedule. Any delay will test the patience of JETP donor countries and climate-focused investors.

The longer-term question is how China’s 100 GW commitment reshapes South Africa’s energy choices. If Chinese finance arrives with fewer conditions, Western climate leverage will weaken further.

Ramokgopa’s stance is a clear signal that South Africa wants investment, grid stability, and industrial competitiveness without surrendering policy control. The fight over coal is really a fight over who sets the terms of the country’s energy future.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is South Africa abandoning coal?

No. Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says the country is not abandoning coal, though coal’s share of the energy mix is expected to decline over time.

How much climate finance was South Africa promised?

South Africa was promised $8.5 billion under the Just Energy Transition Partnership announced at COP26 in November 2021.

Why does Ramokgopa want to keep coal plants running longer?

He argues that coal provides essential baseload power and that closing plants like Komati removed 1,000 MW while only 217 MW of alternative energy replaced it.

Sources

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