Repurposing of coal-fired power stations and coal mines for a JUST transition in South Africa

Abstract

The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 determines that approximately 10.6GW of capacity from coal-fired power stations will be decommissioned by 2030. This will have direct implications for the coal mining industry currently supplying coal to these power stations. The subsequent closure of both coal power stations, and coal mines will have negative socio-economic impacts and these impacts will predominantly affect the regions where coal continues to play a significant role in employment and economic growth. To mitigate the negative effects associated with this process, this article proposes several repurposing solutions that have the potential to bring about new economic opportunities. The literature review suggested that all aspects relating to technical, environmental, economic, and social criteria must be considered in order to have an effective and JUST transition. Specific aspects relating to economic diversification were given higher priority as this helps in combatting South Africa¿s triple challenge of unemployment, inequality, and poverty. Through stakeholder engagements between European institutes and the local research community, repurposing solutions for coal mines and coal power stations were sourced. These solutions were further reduced using a multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) that was developed based on inputs from technical experts and literature. Prioritisation of each criterion and sub-criteria was categorised and it was found that or coal power stations, technical feasibility, access to funding, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and job creation were deemed the most important; whilst for coal mines, access to funding, financial sustainability and job creation were deemed the most important. This article will expand on the methodology used, literature reviewed, development of the MCDA framework and application of the MCDA to conclude on the top 6 most suitable repurposing solutions.