Enabling a just transition and sustainable communities

ENERGY

Enabling a just transition and sustainable communities

The need to create a ‘just’ transition from fossil fuels to renewables by considering climate change, sustainable communities and job creation is increasingly becoming a burning topic in the energy industry.

Ziyanda Majodina

attended Africa Energy Indaba 2022, which hosted a panel of representatives from reputable energy institutes.

Chairing the panel, Daniel Schrotch, acting director: Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, African Development Bank, stated that energy transition in Africa requires the consideration of two paradoxes that frame the discussion: • Africa’s carbon emissions, which are emitted through land use more than fossil fuels • Africa as the largest continent with an energy deficit. Schrotch further stated that Africa’s energy deficit proceeds to hold back economic development, with approximately 600 million people continuing to live without electricity in the sub-Saharan region. This costs 2% to 4% of the continent’s gross domestic product annually. Furthermore, Africa bears the brunt of climate change despite its low carbon emissions, at 3.5% of the global total.

“There are abundant opportunities for renewable energy in Africa – such as solar, geothermal, wind or hydropower. In 2020, 54 GW of renewable energy generation capacity was installed in Africa. Though this is progressive, it is only 2% of the global renewable energy capacity – most of Africa’s energy remains untapped,” Schrotch added.

What is a ‘just’ transition?

“Using the word ‘just’ is important in energy transition, particularly when looking at the National Development Plan, which is a blueprint in terms of the direction South Africa aims to take. It is one of the issues on a lot of the strategic debates around the transition of fossil fuels to renewable energy,” said Thabane Zulu, CEO, Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone. Considerations for a just energy transition: • Emissions should prioritise/consider inequality and justice. • Developing countries such as South Africa need assistance with reducing reliance on high-carbon emissions. • Socio-economic issues are set to grow for governments that do not respond quickly. “The majority of South Africa’s labour force that operates in coal-based plants consists of black people, meaning that energy transition must consider the country’s disadvantageous background and inequality. It also should be informed by the current status quo of 46.6% unemployment due to the country’s recent economic recession and Covid-19 pandemic,” Zulu said.

Zulu stated that the technology for energy transition should equip the labour force with skills development, training and mentorship. “The technologies that are being considered as a part of the transition to the new energy alternatives must not create a jobless society. Looking at the possibility of skills development required by the labour force is imperative. Reskilling the labour force will be necessary to take advantage of new opportunities created by the transition,” Zulu said.

Local municipalities

Commenting on the City of Cape Town’s plan to accelerate its transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy, Kadri Nassiep, executive director: Energy, City of Cape Town, said, “Urbanisation, high levels of unemployment, and energy security and supply should drive economic change.

“In the context of local municipalities, the City of Cape Town seeks new opportunities that enable economic growth. Cape Town will repurpose its old stations into renewable energy plants with the intention of activating job opportunities,” Nassiep said.

“The City further aims to turn consumers into active members of the community, [which] not only provides for their own energy but also stimulates the market on its own. It also plans to market a small-scale enviro-generation programme, engaging independent power producers (IPPs) with the intention of having power projects installed on the network.

Nassiep stated that cities can be further involved by opening up markets to the implementation of renewable energy and increasing interactions with IPPs.