4 minute read
The time is right to invest in Electromobility
ENERGY & THE ENVIRONMENT
BY FIONA WAKELIN
The global move towards electric mobility has been a result of three major shifts – the volatility of the oil price, the COP agreements regarding carbon emission reduction commitments and overall pollution concerns.
And while South Africa does not yet have the policy framework in place for the industry to grow, if battery prices continue to fall the price of electric vehicles (EVs) will become competitive in the country. This will be a natural progression for the automotive sector which is a key contributor to the GDP.
“For South Africa, a thriving EV market supported by the robust local manufacturing capacity, holds the promise of economic growth and job creation in South Africa. It will also counteract the inevitable decline in demand for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles globally,” says Khanyiselo Kumalo, Energy Analyst at GreenCape.
The EV market brings with it a number of possible opportunities: • Lithium iron batteries • Passenger vehicles • Electric busses
“For SA, a thriving EV market supported by local manufacturing holds the promise of economic growth and job creation. It will also counteract the inevitable decline in demand for ICE vehicles globally.” - Green Cape
By mid-2021 the sales for electric vehicles reached about 10 million globally with China responsible for 40% of the purchases and in May Chinese tech giant Baidu became the first company to implement a paid driverless taxi service.
Things are moving fast in this tech/electromobility space. For South Africa the shift to EVs would have a triple benefit to the environment, the economy and motorists themselves and to get the policy framework developed, Minister of Trade Industry and Competition, Hon. Ebrahim Patel is in discussions with the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). BC (before Covid) South Africa’s local vehicle manufacturing industry was responsible for contributing roughly 7% to GDP and currently South Africa exports in the region of 60% of its vehicles to the European Union. A red flag here is that the EU is considering emission rules that could ban internal combustion vehicles by 2025.
“South Africa could lose its principal markets of export — of its crown jewel industry — if it does not change to EVs [electric vehicles]. This is where production incentive programmes are critical.” - Hiten Parmar, Director of the uYilo e-mobility programme.
How do we ensure that the country does not lose out on getting electromobility op pad not just for the export market, but for local consumption and the environment? “Government can change the incentive programme for multinational car companies, which already manufacture in South Africa, so they can get rebates on local electric vehicle manufacturing. I think this is the biggest carrot that government can put out there.” – Hiten Parmar.
Electromobility is one of a suite of alternatives to the fossil-fuel based, non-renewable power that is polluting the environment.
KHANYISELO KUMALO
Energy Analyst | GreenCape
The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme
In 2020 the country’s reliance on non-renewable coalbased Eskom-generated power nearly brought the economy to a standstill with rolling load shedding taking place day and night. Twelve years ago, in 2009, we started investigating how to increase and sustain private investment in renewable energy and in 2010, after the necessary legislation had been passed, the Department of Energy launched the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP) to enhance South Africa’s power-generation capacity.
This programme encourages independent power producers (IPPs) to generate power using renewable techniques whichthe Government then buys for Eskom.
Renewable energy sources include:
• Solar - photo voltaic cells • Onshore wind, • Hydro • Biomass
The REIPPP was also structured to contribute to broader national development objectives: • Job creation • Social upliftment • Broadening economic ownership
“South Africa’s renewable energy procurement policy is unique in its emphasis on stimulating socio-economic benefits at the local level for communities in the vicinity of renewable energy (RE) projects.
In addition to potential indirect benefits for communities, deriving from procurement and construction, government policy places specific requirements on independent power producers (IPPs) to foster community ownership in the form of shareholding in RE projects, local employment, as well as annual monetary contributions to stimulate local development” - Cobenefits Study 2019.
What is an independent power producer?
An IPP is a company established by a range of shareholders to bid for the construction and operation of an independent power plant.
The shareholders typically could include: • Black industrialists • Other South African shareholders • Community Trusts representing the local communities where the projects are located • Foreign shareholders
An example of IPPs Globeleq South Africa Management Services, operates and majority owns three IPPs: • De Aar Solar Power • Droogfontein Solar Power • Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm
Together these three generate enough clean renewable energy to power over 138 000 South African homes. During construction of the three projects, an average of 2 000 people were employed on the sites from local communities and 1.5% of project revenues were invested in socioeconomic and enterprise development programmes and skills development to ensure the sustainability of the renewable energy industry.
How successful has the Programme been to date?
The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 reported that a total 6 422 MW under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme had been procured, with 3 876 MW operational and made available to the grid.
South Africa’s 2030 target is to reduce emissions by up to 26% below 2010 levels with a longerterm target of decarbonising electricity completely by 2050.
