What do you believe is the single most important factor driving up the cost of living in Nigeria?

South Africa is immersed in a "just energy transition" from a fossil fuel-based energy system to a cleaner, low-carbon energy system. This new system will be based primarily on renewable energy, such as solar, wind and green hydrogen.

Such a transition is deeply contested. Those with direct and indirect commercial interests in the coal industry will defend their stake. On the other hand, those who could gain from a transition will aim to entrench their new interests in the renewable energy sector.

Then there are those who argue that gas is a reasonable compromise between the need to decarbonize and the need to maintain energy security.

Lobbyists for gas include the Industrial Gas Users Association, the South African Oil and Gas Alliance and state-owned energy company Eskom. Sasol is a South African energy and chemicals company that has been heavily involved in lobbying for gas. It already operates gas-to-liquid plants. It also has a vested interest in expanding the gas market to support its industrial processes.

The case for gas hinges on it being ostensibly "cleaner" and more cost effective. Gas is also said to support grid reliability when there is peak demand for energy. (This is at times when inclement weather conditions mean solar power cannot be generated.)

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