Energy in South Africa

South Africa (SA) is heavily dependent on coal for its energy supply and is struggling with a demand that grows very fast as well as a need that is considerably bigger. Too many people do not have adequate access to energy supply that allows them to live a life using even basic goods that we associate with a modern society.

The IEA arranged via its NEET-organisation, together with a newly formed South African Energy Research Organisation, SANERI, a workshop in Johannesburg. The presentations form a comprehensive overview of both the situation in SA and what a closer collaboration with the IEA Technology Agreements could bring.

South Africa has an advanced strategy for energy efficiency but a long walk to make it reality. But a society that will host the world championship in football 2010 why should they not also be able to be world champions in sustainable energy? They have vast unexploited resources of renewable fuels that (unfortunately) competes with very (and too?) cheap coal.