Pentalin Group of Companies chief executive officer, Mr Jaco Scholtz was recently awarded the coal person of the year award.

The annual awards function took place on 29/2/2022 at Emperors Palace Centre Court celebrated a number of coal persons of the year awards, the 2022 Coal Person of the Year is Jaco Scholtz. Here is Jaco being handed his award by Refiloe Maila, the current SACPS Chairperson. pic.twitter.com/S9QeGcvPyr

— SACPS (@SACoalPrep) August 3, 2022

Jaco shared some thoughts about the coal landscape in an interview with WITBANK NEWS.

Among others he said one of the challenges the sector faces is that it is competing with other forms of cleaner energy.

Despite negative publicity and the false narrative that renewable energy can replace fossil fuels, coal has been extremely resilient.

As a fuel for power generation, it comes into its own and will be around for decades to come.

“Coal remains the largest contributor to electricity generation both in South Africa and worldwide. It is forecasted that total coal demand is set to return to all-time high in 2022. Dynamics in global energy markets are such that skyrocketing prices for gas and concerns of shortages are blowing on the demand for coal,” Jaco said.

He added that off- and on-grid renewables have a role, but cannot support base load requirements.

“Base load has to be provided by coal as the cheapest form of energy requiring the lowest capital outlay, especially for poorer developing countries.”

Jaco and his team at Pentalin Group of Companies have a unique understanding that the remaining coal reserves can’t sustain exorbitant capital investments and cost-effective solutions are needed to achieve the required return on investment.

“We help clients achieve improved financial outcomes through the development of technical and commercial funding solutions customised to individual client and mine objectives.”

Jaco said it is of vital importance that government, employers, workers, unions and communities need to start a social dialogue to create the plans, policies, and reforms needed to manage labour transition out of coal and into alternative employment.

“Coal in the eMalahleni area will not last forever. It is estimated that there are economical viable reserves until 2055. In the future, coal will have to be sourced from the Waterberg or Botswana to supply our coal-fired power stations.  Therefore, it is important to commence conversations with all stakeholders to secure the future livelihoods of workers and their communities,” he concluded.

Look out for the full story in WITBANK NEWS.

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