US Under Secretary Of State Applauds South Africa’s Leadership In Energy Transition

Victoria Nuland, the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, has expressed admiration for the robust collaboration between South Africa and the United States. This partnership is expected to lead to a substantial investment of $1 billion by the US in South Africa’s energy transition in the upcoming years.

During her visit to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in Pretoria on July 31, Nuland expressed her belief that South Africa is poised to become a leader in Africa as well as globally in terms of the energy transition. She commended the US’s role as a proud partner in this transformation, including its support for projects like the CSIR’s solar photovoltaic (PV) testing facility. These solar panels are being widely deployed throughout South Africa and are gaining popularity in the US as the world shifts towards greener alternatives away from fossil fuels.

Nuland emphasized that the development of such facilities, along with mini-grids and other elements of the just energy transition, offers an opportunity to empower small businesses and create high-tech employment opportunities, especially for young and women-owned enterprises.

With South Africa facing well-known energy challenges and the US making substantial investments in green transitions, the collaboration between the two countries stands as a significant strength in their partnership.

The visit to CSIR resulted from a partnership between CSIR and Power Africa, leading to the establishment of the Microgrid Centre of Excellence for future power systems. This collaboration aims to drive the advancement of renewable energy projects, improve access to reliable and clean energy, and contribute to South Africa’s just energy transition, energy access, and energy security.