The rapid growth and connection of renewable energy, the electrification of transport, the development of technologies which can carry electricity safely and efficiently over vast distances, and improvements in storage technology have all converged to facilitate this revolution.
For too long, short-term decisions have driven its long-term energy strategy in South Africa. Our energy security depends on government and industry collaborating closely together to produce a sustainable and productive approach for the country's energy needs.
There is a looming energy crisis that requires a marked increase in innovative and creative solutions to make up the anticipated energy deficit. Most commentators agree that we will need to use a wide variety of different energy sources to mitigate the effects of energy shortages attributable to the decline in fossil fuel energy production.
Within South Africa, the energy mix has shifted over recent years, with a rise in renewable electricity generation. The bulk of renewable energy generated in our borders comes from wind and solar respectively, but there is still an archaic reliance on coal, with over 90% of South Africa’s electricity coming from an ageing fleet of inefficient coal-fired power stations.
The urgency of change is evident on both global and local levels, and South Africa isn’t the only country attempting to adapt its energy mix to be less reliant on fossil fuels. However, South Africa still lags behind many other parts of the world.
The South African government needs to adopt much stronger policies to ensure it meets its target of reducing carbon emissions by 34% by 2020 and 42% come 2025.
To meet its target, the government needs to facilitate the deployment of a mix of renewable types as it transitions away from fossil fuels. Energy policy and the implementation thereof must be optimised to create a coherent plan to utilise each resource efficiently and effectively
Luckily, technology can once again step up to the mark. The digitalisation of the energy industry allows the automation and optimisation of processes, opening up embedded generation and micro-grids. These technologies can bolster the existing grid infrastructure or operate autonomous of it, depending on the technology deployed.
As we find ourselves on the frontline of an energy revolution, the roles played by the fossil fuel and electricity industries will need to change dramatically. The common thread for all must be to keep innovating, developing and introducing new technologies, and collaborating to ensure their efficient uptake throughout the country.
Ultimately, we need the government to come to the party, by creating an environment that incentivises the critical industry investment required to ensure that South Africa is going not just to survive but thrive in this new era of clean energy.
