Worsening energy blackouts are crippling South Africa. They’re being caused in part by an over-reliance on ageing coal-fired power stations which can’t produce enough electricity. The government has an ambitious plan to rapidly build up solar and wind power by opening up the grid to private providers. But it’s facing opposition from the coal lobby.

Will this electricity crisis be the thing that finally pushes South Africa to implement its climate plan? And can it be implemented in a way that treats all South Africans equally, and doesn’t unfairly benefit a rich minority?

Presenters Sophie Eastaugh and Luke Jones are joined by:
Dr Nthabiseng Mohlakoana, expert in South Africa’s Just Energy transition, Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands
Steve Nicholls, Head of Mitigation at the Presidential Climate Commission, South Africa’s
Elna Schutz, freelance journalist who spoke to businesses in and around Johannesburg

Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com

Producer: Laurence Knight
Researcher: Matt Toulson
Production Coordinators: Sophie Hill and Siobhan Reed
Series Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor: Richard Vadon
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell