Access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy is a fundamental human right which underpins socio-economic progress and well-being. It powers education, healthcare, food security, industrialization, economic opportunities, and a better quality of life. Despite the post-1994 energy access progress, millions in South Africa’s townships, informal settlements, and rural areas still live without affordable and reliable electricity. Bridging this sustainable energy divide is a core priority for the UN in South Africa.
The Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO), along with the UN Country Team (UNCT) and the Presidential Climate Commission, is committed to fostering collaboration and driving action to ensure that no one is left behind in this critical transition.
The concept of a Just Energy Transition (JET) is at the heart of South Africa's green journey. It is about more than just switching to cleaner energy sources; it is about ensuring that this transition is equitable, inclusive and affordable. As the UN Resident Coordinator, I have been actively engaging and mobilizing government, the private sector, civil society, and communities.
With the full involvement and support of the UNCT, we are informing and accompanying a dynamic and inclusive JET approach and narrative which resonates with, and benefits, everyone. Ultimately, we hope to demonstrate and ensure that the just energy transition is not only about keeping the lights on but also about powering social and economic transformation.
UN entities working on South Africa are actively promoting best practices, in the areas of policy, programming and advocacy, for managing the socioeconomic impacts of transitioning to clean energy. They are also shaping innovative and accessible financing instruments and allocations to support this transition.
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Primary sources of renewable energy in South Africa are solar, wind, hydroelectric, and biomass. Renewable energy in South Africa is energy generated in South Africa from renewable resources, those that naturally replenish themselves-such as sunlight, wind, tides, waves, biomass, and geothermal heat. Renewable energy focuses on four core areas: electricity generation, air and water heating/cooling, transportation, and rural energy services. The energy sector in South Africa is an important component of global energy regimes due to the country's innovation and advances in renewable energy.
South Africa's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is ranked as moderate and its per capita emission rate is higher than the global average. South Africa is a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an international organization that promotes renewable energy policies.
To incentivize the further rollout of renewable energy generation by the private sector, the South African Revenue Service has of 1 January 2016 amended the Income Tax Act No. 58 of 1962 to include accelerated depreciation for renewable energy assets commissioned by a tax paying entity. Government plans make a special provision for photovoltaic systems that are smaller or equal to 1 MWp (Megawatt peak) in section 12 B of the Tax Act. Depreciating the photovoltaic solar system 100% in the first year grants the taxpayer a tax shield due to saved income tax. This provides, in effect, a 28% discount on the photovoltaic solar system. The tax shield applies even if the photovoltaic solar system is installed mid-year. By partially financing the photovoltaic solar system through debt, systems can achieve a repayment time of 1 year.
Our collective action is focused on three key areas:
- Prioritizing vulnerable communities
- Promoting energy efficiency and renewables
- Fostering financing, innovation and technology transfer
Prioritizing Vulnerable Communities
To achieve universal access to affordable and clean energy, we are prioritizing those most vulnerable to energy poverty or the negative impacts of transitioning away from coal. We are working with the government to shape and implement key policies like the Climate Change Response Fund, the Climate Change Act and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JET-P) and Investment Plan, ensuring an equitable and inclusive transition to a low-carbon economy.
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Our efforts include facilitating community consultations, conducting research and policy dialogues, and empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), youth and women in underserved communities with training and skills as well as facilitate financing for their involvement in the energy sector. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is scaling up Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programmes, offering skills development in areas like off-grid energy, healthcare electrification, and empowering women and youth in the power sector. Additionally, other initiatives implemented through various UN entities equip vulnerable youth and women with the skills needed to succeed in the emerging electric vehicle and renewables industry.
We are also committed to safeguarding the livelihoods of workers affected by the transition, supporting the creation of new job opportunities in renewable energy, and providing green skills training programmes. The International Labour Organization (ILO), UN Women, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and other UN entities are working to strengthen the skills of workers, women, youth, and trainers.
The UN Country Team in South Africa is working to bridge the sustainable energy divide and improve access to reliable and affordable energy.
Promoting Energy Efficiency and Renewables
We are committed to supporting South Africa's efforts to mitigate climate change and reduce dependence on fossil fuels by promoting energy efficiency and the adoption of renewable energy sources. Frameworks for decentralized renewable energy systems are being developed through a UNIDO-led initiative, aiming to reduce emissions and enhance energy infrastructure. South Africa's ambitious mandatory Minimum Energy Performance Standards for lighting, promoting the use of energy-efficient LED lamps, were established with key support from the UN Environment Programme.
The UN in South Africa is also supporting the country's leadership in the G20 Energy Transitions Working Group, focusing on efficiency and renewables.
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Fostering Financing, Innovation and Technology Transfer
Fostering financing, innovation and technology transfer is vital for developing countries like South Africa to leapfrog into sustainable energy systems. The UN is dedicated to bridging technological and financial gaps through international cooperation and support, ensuring South Africa has the necessary tools and resources for this transition. The RCO along with the UNCT plays a pivotal role in facilitating partnerships, knowledge sharing, and mobilizing support for concessional financing, technology transfer and capacity building.
This includes securing assistance from the European Union, International Finance Corporation (IFC), and south-south cooperation platforms like the African Development Bank (AfDB), BRICS and its New Development Bank. Young people are key drivers of innovation and sustainable solutions. Through initiatives like "Circular Innovator" and "Green Hustle" challenges, the UN in South Africa empowers youth to develop circular economy business plans.
The UN in South Africa empowers youth to develop circular economy business plans and offers knowledge exchange workshops and mentorship.
Renewable Energy Sources in South Africa
Solar Energy
Solar energy is light and heat that is radiated from the Sun. It is then transformed into electricity through photovoltaics (PV) or concentrated solar power (CSP). Solar energy in South Africa is primarily based in PV and CSP. The levelized cost of solar electricity is relative to the quality and quantity of solar radiation in South Africa. Solar energy is a low-cost source of energy compared to traditional non-renewable energy resources in South Africa.
Wind Power
Jeffrey's Bay Wind Farm is located on the Eastern cape and has a production output of 100MW. It is the second largest wind farm in South Africa. Wind power uses wind turbines to produce electric power. Wind levels vary depending on factors such as terrain, bodies of water and vegetative cover. Wind turbines convert the wind into kinetic energy and mechanical power. The wind turns 50-metre-long blades attached to 80 metre-high shafts that generate the electric energy. Wind turbine farms can range between 10MW to over 100 MW and produce energy when the wind is between 13-90 km/h. Wind turbines farms can be onshore or offshore. In 2014 the first major wind farm became operational with approximately 10 either operational or in construction today. South Africa's extensive coastline and geographical terrain including lowlands and high veld escarpment, provide wind energy that can be extracted and generated into off-the-shelf technology.
There are currently 19 wind energy developments in South Africa with more than 600 wind turbines. On the international scale, South Africa ranks as having fair to reasonable wind resources. Wind power is a renewable, widely distributed and clean form of energy. South Africa's installed wind capacity reaches 3,442 MW in 2022, with 668 MW installed in 2021 and no new installations in 2022.
Hydropower
Hydropower, or hydroelectric power, is energy that is captured from flowing water and turned into electricity. The most common forms of hydropower use hydroelectric dams to create a reservoir.
Biomass
Biomass is physical biological material that comes from living or recently living organisms. It comes from plants or materials derived from plants (lignocellulosic biomass). Biomass has the capacity to produce electricity, heat, or liquid fuels. Biomass can be used as a direct energy source as heating or cooking fuel, or can be burned to generate electricity. It can also be used indirectly by using its biological processes and producing ethanol, methanol, and fuel that can be used in transportation and cooking processes. Wood is currently the largest producer of biomass fuel-including tree stumps, forest residue, dead trees, and wood chips.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal energy is generated from heat that is stored in the Earth.
Key Players in South Africa's Renewable Energy Sector
The South African energy sector is dominated by the company Eskom. Eskom currently produces 95% of South Africa's electricity. Due to their large presence in the non-renewable energy sector, there are independent power producers (IPP) who are capable of providing renewable energy sources. To reach the 10,000 GWh renewable energy target, the government has joined agencies and implemented policies that promote independent renewable energy producers.
- BioTherm Energy: The leading IPP because of their three wind and solar projects that are involved in REI4P.
- Mulilo: A South African company who provides clean energy such as wind and solar to the national grid. Mulilo is a member of the South African REI4P and has won 420MW worth of projects. They currently have 30MW of solar PV operational and have another 185MW scheduled. By the end of 2017, Mulilo was to contribute 240 megawatts of wind power.
- juwi South Africa: A renewable energy company who is also one of the world's leading renewable energy companies. juwi South Africa's main focus is on the production of solar energy on a utility and commercial scale, as well as onshore wind energy. juwi South Africa has built five utility-scale solar plants under the REI4P and they are also a member of the IPPs.
- WiSolar: An on-demand prepaid solar utility company in South Africa, which provides affordable solar energy options to South Africans while addressing climate change.
South Africa is one of the most popular countries for investment in renewable energy. In 2014, the country received US$5.5 billion towards renewable energy projects.
Renewable energy in South Africa has the potential to increase access to electricity in rural areas because of its suitability for off-grid and small-scale solutions.
| Renewable Energy Source | Description | Examples/Details |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Energy | Energy from the sun converted into electricity or heat. | Photovoltaics (PV), Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) |
| Wind Power | Energy harnessed from the wind using turbines. | Jeffrey's Bay Wind Farm (100MW), onshore and offshore wind farms |
| Hydropower | Energy captured from flowing water. | Hydroelectric dams |
| Biomass | Energy from living or recently living organisms. | Wood, plant-derived materials (lignocellulosic biomass) |
| Geothermal Energy | Energy from heat stored within the Earth. | Utilizing heat stored in the Earth |
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