Ramokgopa, who now runs the newly created energy electricity ministry, was addressing journalists as South Africa marked more than 100 days with no power cuts a record over years of crippling blackouts.
I am going to be ultra-aggressive on renewable energy. You are going to see an exponential share, he told a news conference in Pretoria, adding that he wanted to signal to investors our intention to go that route.
Owing to its reliance on coal-fired power stations run by Eskom, South Africa is among the worlds top 15 greenhouse gas emitters pushing out more than the UK, Turkey or France and has the highest carbon intensity among the G20 largest economies, according to watchdog Climate Transparency .
We are going to be the leaders on this continent in relation to renewables, Ramakgopa said.
It cut a very different tone from predecessor Gwede Mantashe, who had repeatedly urged resisting international pressure to rush into green energy, questioning its viability.
