Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy has made a direct link between government’s proposed designation of Renewable Energy Development Zones (REDZs) in the coal and gold mining towns of Emalahleni and Klerksdorp respectively, and South Africa’s just transition to a low-carbon, nature-positive economy. In a briefing ahead of the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries’ R8.2-billion budget vote on Thursday, Creecy said the proposed promulgation of three new REDZs would fast-track the development of renewable-energy projects in line with the Integrated Resource Plan 2019.
