With the war in Ukraine, the end of the use of Russian coal and gas pushed European countries to find new suppliers  and it is South Africa in particular that benefits

Exports from the specialist port of Richards Bay to Europe jumped 720% in the first six months of the year. Mining companies are rubbing their hands.

2022 would therefore mark the return of the “coal king” as we can read in an interview given by Vuslat Bayoglu. This man is one of the executives of the Menar company, which owns three coal mines. Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, it has seen exports explode. “The demand comes from Germany, France, Italy, Spain, but also from Poland, which used to source a lot from Russia,” he says. So a variety of countries and a very strong European demand for South African coal. »

The ton of coal has risen from $75 in 2021 to $230 in recent months. The coal rush is driving up prices and worrying the United Nations. The UN has warned Europe against going backwards in the face of the climate crisis. On the South African side, the government sees the European energy crisis as proof that we must not turn away from coal. “Renewable energy will not save us, Germany learned this in pain,” the South African energy minister said.

A speech to which Vuslat Bayoglu adheres. “The Europeans are telling South Africa: invest in renewable energy and you will solve your power cut problems. I tell them, look at what is happening in Europe. The scenario was gas with renewable energies and that was very good. But when the gas comes to be cut off, you are in trouble. »

Green Peace fears that the energy crisis will usher in a new era of growth for coal. This is the concern expressed by Nhlanhla Sibisi in charge of climate and energy issues within the NGO. “In the repeated speeches both in Europe, but also in the so-called developing countries, it is repeated that we should use the resources at our disposal to support our development,” she explains. With the energy crisis in Europe, coal-fired power plants have been revived and for those who export them, this is proof that we need coal. Yet we continue to think that we can do without it. »

The European Union is trying to divert South Africa from coal. At COP27 to be held in egypt in early November, an energy transition plan is expected to be presented by South Africa. The European Union is pledging to put $8.5 billion on the table to help it end its coal addiction.