Government is accelerating plans for 3GW of gas-fired power generation to help to plug an energy deficit that is hurting the economy, electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa said on Sunday.

The economy is facing daily power cuts because of regular breakdowns at state-owned power utility Eskom’s ageing coal-fired plants, with officials saying that up to 6GW of new generating capacity is required to end rolling blackouts.

Part of the government’s plans to increase generation include a 2GW mobile facility and a 1GW plant near Coega, in the Eastern Cape, Ramokgopa said, adding that the government was at the procurement stage for the projects.

“One of the things receiving priority is around the 3 000MW of gas. As you know, gas, from an emissions standpoint, is a step down compared to coal, so it’s important we accelerate that,” Ramakgopa said.

Government’s original plans for a 3GW gas-fired power plant in Richards Bay were opposed by environmental groups calling for acceleration of renewable energy projects in line with a global shift away from polluting fossil fuels.

Ramokgopa said in June that South Africa expects more than 5.5GW of new renewable energy projects to come online by 2026.