Kgosientsho David Ramokgopa, Minister of Electricity and Energy of the Republic of South Africa. He was appointed to this post by President Cyril Ramaphosa in 2024. Prior to his appointment as Minister, he held the position of Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwanet between 2010 and 2016. Later, Ramokgopa was Gauteng MEC (Member of Executive Committee) for Economic Development, Agriculture, and Environment.

What is your top priority in the South African energy sector?

We are interested in utilising the BRICS platform to meet the energy needs of our country. BRICS is an excellent platform for member countries to exchange views, ideas, technologies, and skills on issues of mutual interest. As we already know, BRICS is the largest grouping of countries outside the UN. We account for about 35 per cent of the world’s GDP.

The Russians, the Chinese, and the Indians have a fleet of power plants; they are coal-fired plants. So we want to learn from them how they did it so that we can, if you like, import these technologies into our country. And solve our own energy problem. We know that the BRICS countries have made great strides in renewable energy production and the advanced technologies that they have in those countries. So by working together, we think we can benefit the South African economy, our citizens, and industry in ensuring that our aspiration for transition becomes a reality.

What are your thoughts on energy supply diversification? How do you maintain a balance between traditional and renewable sources?

I like the way you phrased it: maintain a balance. So it’s not a choice of one versus the other but using them together to achieve your own goals. We ourselves have defined what to call the nationally determined contributions. These are voluntary targets because we recognise that there is a counterbalance and an obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. There is a link between emissions and climate change. That’s why we say we need to increase the share of renewable energy, solar and wind, in the energy mix. But we are not abandoning coal. We’re not abandoning gas. We’re not abandoning those fuel sources because cleaner types of technologies are intermittent. They’re not available all the time. They’re available when they’re available.

How can you evaluate the role of the BRICS countries in the global energy sphere?

BRICS is on the ascendancy with the mission of the new member countries of the group. We now account for about 35 per cent of GDP. We are also major players in Sub-Saharan Africa: Ethiopia is part of the group, South Africa is part of it, and Egypt is north of it. So one of the things we are in favour of, at least in South Africa, and I am sure Ethiopia and Egypt would agree with us, is to ensure that we improve access to energy. We can introduce solar photovoltaic systems, and that way we can connect rural areas and remote areas that can access electricity using a modern and cleaner form of generation. So we can provide them with a package of these measures and then address energy hunger and energy poverty. As I said, 35 per cent of GDP is the size of the BRICS countries combined. And other countries’ interest in this group is growing. BRICS is a family of nations, the development of humanity through common perspectives. That is what BRICS is all about.

Is it already possible to use artificial intelligence in the energy sector?

Yes, absolutely. I think the development of artificial intelligence, to the extent that it can be applied to the energy sector, is to be welcomed and to improve our capabilities. And this can benefit the country, industry, and the people of South Africa and BRICS member countries, as well as the world.

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Photo: screenshot of TV BRICSterview