The 'green' agendas of the developed world are killing the growth of developing countries

For developing economies, the availability of cost-effective, dispatchable baseload electricity is crucial for the growth of electricity intensive industries that can drive economic progress and improve living standards.

This underscores the need to address the proverbial elephant in the room without the ideological haze of international climate agreements or theoretical doomsday hypotheses. There is a real need here and now to apply pragmatism and do what is sensible for a reliable electricity supply.

In the interim, older power plants should be refurbished to maintain supply stability. Investment in unreliable and unproven renewable electricity sources should be reconsidered, as they are ill-suited to meeting developing country's long-term economic demands, particularly in the mining, manufacturing, and agricultural sectors. Furthermore, over-reliance on imported refined products could jeopardize developing country's energy sovereignty and exacerbate balance of payments issues.

A vision for the future: nuclear power

• One proposed solution is the development of nuclear power stations, which could bring significant benefits to developing countries. Such projects would not only boost electricity supply but also support regional development through enhanced infrastructure, increased economic activity, and the creation of jobs. Local municipalities could see immediate benefits in terms of infrastructure expansion, including roads, water provision, and housing for workers.
• The nuclear projects exemplify the kind of forward-thinking investment in reliable, cost-effective electricity infrastructure that is necessary to support developing country's future economic growth.

The future of electricity in developing countries needs to focus on those technologies which are efficient and effective. In developing countries, these are High-Efficiency, Low-Emissions (HELE) coal-fired, gas and nuclear power stations. It is a separate exercise to ensure that all technologies are kept free of corruption at all levels and run efficiently. It is the government's role to give priority to the engine rooms of existing and future growth and employment in the economy.

Electricity in developing countries such as South Africa is the major necessity for business and associated development required for future economic growth.

Nuclear and HELE coal represents the most viable options for providing the reliable, dispatchable baseload electricity needed to support the country's industrial and economic development. The governments must focus on repairing the damage to investor confidence caused by ongoing electricity disruptions and ensure the introduction of adequate, competitively priced electricity supplies to sustain future growth.