Renewable energy is still a minute industry in comparison to South Africa’s coal-mining that fuels the country’s generation of electricity.
But investing in sustainable energy sources is becoming increasingly crucial to ensure a better future for all on Earth, says Richard Worthington, Earthlife Africa’s project coordinator for the Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Partnership.
Earthlife Africa’s Johannesburg branch presented a comprehensive paper proposing policies on sustainable energy and energy efficiency in South Africa at an international symposium in Pretoria this week.
Worthington says the paper was the result of the most complete study that has been made to date on the topic in a developing country.
“Action is urgently required. South Africa’s government must soon decide how it will meet the nation’s growing energy demand,” Worthington says.
“Due to the long project lead times for generation capacity, strategic decisions must be made well in advance.
“Earthlife Africa proposes that a just transition to sustainable energy be initiated immediately to cater for the long term,” he says.
The study aims to mobilise the government to implement measures to cater for sustainable energy sources. It cost more than R875 000 and was funded by the Danish government agency Danida.
Worthington says sustainable energy doesn’t need to be expensive and can have positive spin-offs.
“This type of energy can simultaneously create jobs and create healthier environments by reducing air and atmospheric pollution, and the consumption of non-renewable resources, giving more people access to affordable energy.
“This research will show government officials some of the ways that this can be achieved,” Worthington says.