At the end of February, Project 90 with support from Misereor, ran a two day workshop on energy sector transformation. The event was attended by 35 people from 29 different organisations representing civil society and organised labour. The status quo of energy in South Africa was examined along with positive and negative examples based on the study done by Project 90 prior to the workshop.
A presentation from the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research showed how an energy future based primarily on renewables and flexible power generators (such as gas) can meet our energy needs at a lower cost, lower water use and lower carbon emissions than the latest plans form the Department of Energy. A panel discussion provided great insights into the financing, political economy, internal learnings and potential for local businesses in relation to renewable energy.
From group work, the participants developed a vision for our energy future with the underlying criteria for transformation and the policy suggestions for achieving it. A key outcome was that by 2017 it is technically possible to meet the energy needs of SA in a low carbon manner in line with our international climate change commitments, but that the main barriers are at the political and decision making level. Innovative approaches, and collaborative efforts will be required from a number of sectors to combat elements of national energy planning that are based on vested interests in fossil fuels. The development of a proper plan for a just transition away from coal as a primary energy source is a necessary, but challenging first step.
