The Minister of Energy Ms Dipuo Peters is set to annouce the Atlas scheduled to be launched on 24 August 2010. This follows work done on the South Africa Carbon Dioxide Geological Storage Atlas which commenced in 2008.
The atlas addresses potential storage capacity in a number of basins in South Africa at a theoretical level.The information contained therein was based on an examination of existing seismic and some borehole data.
The atlas is scheduled to be incorporated into the programme of the South African Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). The atlas is an essential input to the next stages of CCS in South Africa, namely:
- Analyses of the information contained in the Atlas for specific Basins e.g. on-shore Zululand Basin and the on-shore Outeniqua Basin with supplementary seismic and borehole data.Such analyses are to identify for example possible cap-rock formations
- The next stage is to undertake a Test Injection as a ‘proof of concept’ for CCS in South Africa.The identification of an injection site for the Test Injection, based on the outputs of the analyses in a) above, is scheduled to be undertaken by seismic and preliminary drilling
- The Test Injection should take place at an on-shore site – off-shore would prove too expensive.
Brief background
The meeting held in Washington 19 to 20 July 2010, is an engagement of the major economies forum where Energy Ministers examine the way to develop and deploy new clean energy technologies in the world. This is a response to the climate change issues and a demonstration of how the Energy Ministers can play a role in the mitigation strategies.
South Africa used the platform to announce the achievements and programmes as its contribution to climate change initiatives.
South Africa has initiated a programme to roll out 1 million solar water heaters. Once this project is completed, it will save South Africa from building 3 000 MW coal powered station. This will effectively reduce CO2 emissions from the country and we will be contributing to a green economy. In the endeavour to reduce green house gas emissions, South Africa is completing a Wind Atlas. This atlas will be launched in August 2010.
The atlas will identify potential sites and provide accurate information on the wind resource within the country. This information will provide the much needed information to potential investors in the sector. We hope that after the release, investments in the wind energy sector will be accelerated and international and local investors will priories South Africa as an investor of choice. At the Clean Energy Ministerial Meeting, South Africa has endorsed the development of wind and solar global atlas currently led by Demark, Spain and German. This atlas will cover all countries including those countries which are unable to fund such an initiative, This will go along way in attracting investment in both solar and wind energy in Africa.
The minister announced that South Africa will be hosting a solar investor conference in September 2010. The purpose of the conference is to create a platform where the country interacts with potential investor on the development of the solar industrial park with different technologies. The ministers have also committed to the initiative to vigorously peruse energy efficiency strategies to complement initiatives to reduce energy consumption and green house gas emissions.
Minister Peters together with her counterparts from Italy, USA, Mexico, and Denmark has agreed to play a strategic role in facilitating women to participate through education in the development and deployment of energy technologies. It clear that educating a woman is to educate a nation and women education in energy sector specifically will revolutionise the sector as they will be able to ensure that appropriate technology is developed to complement their needs.
The minister has taken the initiative to be the Ambassador of Africa. She will mobilise women in Africa, Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the country to encourage women across the different energy sectors such as science, engineering and technology, trade and industry, research and development to initiate the and mobiles other women to join the sector.
Enquiries:
Zodwa Batyashe
Cell: 082 455 9796
Tel: 012 444 4265
E-mail: Zodwa.batyashe@energy.gov.za
