South Africa Can Go 100% Renewable, New Report Shows How

May 27th, 2011 by Zachary Shahan

South Africa gets a fair share of sun, from what I’ve heard. Also, with good wind resources to boot and technology that is clearly ready to scale, a new report released by Greenpeace South Africa shows how exactly the country can go 100% renewable. The Energy [R]evolution report “is a detailed and practical blueprint for cutting carbon emissions, replacing fossil fuels and nuclear power with renewable energy, and growing the economy,” Greenpeace announced this week. “It is one of the most comprehensive plans to resolve the country’s need for energy security and a sustainable energy future, ever.”

By switching over to renewables and investing in energy efficiency, South Africa would also create 150,000 new jobs in the coming 20 years. As I’ve repeated on here many, many, many times, renewable energy is not waiting for another breakthrough or two to be ready for large-scale deployment, and certainly not in a place like South Africa. It is ready to be deployed on a massive scale now. Energy [R]evolution shows, in detail, how.

Experts at the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Dutch Institute Ecofys, the Institute for Sustainable Futures (Sydney), and the European Renewable Energy Council also worked on the report with Greenpeace.

Here’s more from the world-leading green organization on what an Energy [R[evolution is:

The plan put forth “offers South Africa independence from a fluctuating and volatile global market, cuts national debt, creates jobs, safeguards scarce natural resources like water, and will protect the environment for future generations.” What more can you ask for.

Again, check out much more over on Greenpeace.

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

Anumakonda Jagadeesh

SouthAfrica energy regulator (NERSA) has new 20-year feed-in tariff rates
that are greater than those in Germany
(widely held as the model of feed-in tariff implementation) and Ontario:

The tariff for wind power will be
1.25 ZAR/kWh ($0.14/kWh). That’s more than offered in Germany by €0.012 and in Ontario by CDN$0.035.

For concentrating solar power, the rate will be
2.10 ZAR/kWh ($0.232/kWh). For hydro: 0.94 ZAR/kWh ($0.104 kWh); for landfill
gas 0.90 ZAR/kWh ($0.10/kWh). Other technologies may be included within the
tariff structure in 6 months.

Renewables have great future in South Africa.

Dr.A.Jagadeesh Nellore (AP), India

Wind Energy Expert

E-mail: Anumakonda.jagadeesh@gmail.com
- Anonymous
  
  Wow, great news! Didn’t know about that. Do you have a link on that you
  could share?