Honours presentation

Christopher George Humphries

Supervisor: Prof. Danny Simatele

The Role of Institutions and Policy Frameworks in Sustainable Renewable Energy Development in South Africa

Title:

Introduction

• What is the project about?o Renewable energy o South African renewable energy policy , legislation and

institutional frameworkso Sustainable developmento Barriers and opportunities in the South African renewable

energy sector

Rationale

o Energy is the critical infrastructural backbone on which an economy exists and develops

o Need to transform the energy sector globally

• Move away from emission intense electricity productiono South African electricity undersupply (demand doubling – 2030)

• How is government and private sector going to fill this gap?

• (Deichmann, U., Meisner, C., Murray, S., & Wheeler, D., 2011) o Policy and institutions either create barriers or opportunities to

sustainable renewable development (Pegels, A., 2010) o South Africa’s energy crisis perpetuated by institutional frameworks

• (Menyah, K., & Wolde-Rufael, Y., 2010)

Research question:

In what ways do institutions, energy legislation/regulation and energy policy effect the implementation of sustainable renewable energy infrastructure in South Africa?

Sub-questions:

In what ways are renewable energies incorporated in policy frameworks in SA?

What barriers and opportunities exist in the pursuit for renewable energy in SA?

What are the implications of these findings on further studies and environmental policy design?

Academic aim

To investigate policy and legal framework influencing the implementation of renewable energy technologies in South Africa

Strategic aim: Present opportunity for ‘policy entrepreneurs’ to create further opportunity in policies for renewable energy technologies to transform the South African energy sector

Objectives

• To determine what influence energy policy has on both public and private investment as well as RE implementation. 

• To determine what policies and legislation are currently in place.

• To understand the benefits of setting up renewable energies as opposed to traditional unsustainable energy infrastructure. 

• To propose new areas in policy design that will encourage investment mechanisms in renewable energies in South Africa. 

Renewable energy potential

http://www.ee.co.za/article/map-highlights-photovoltaic-projects.html

Current energy production

http://www.corospondentglobal.com/

Current energy production

Theoretical framework/research philosophy• Economic liberalism

• Association with free markets and private ownership of capital assets.

• Sustainability (job creation; investment; wealth creation; technological development – Foucault – political technocracy).

• Usage – significant opportunity for growth and development associated with economic liberalism.

Methodology• Qualitative research

Reasons, opinions and motivations behind the construction of energy policy

Sourcing of literature

• Secondary data • Appropriate legal and policy framework from respective

institutions mandated to produce, distribute and manage energy

• Internet search engines• Scholarly articles• White papers• Library sources• Policies

Data analysis3 strategies

1. Rapid appraisal (Beebe, 1995)

• Quick review and investigation into the policy• Flexible framework • Investigate aims and objectives the relevant policies• Look for key works and context

2. Thematic analysis

3. Meta analysis

1. Contrasting of findings from different energy specific literature

2. Identification of patterns

Submit proposal• 07 may

Data analysis• 30 June

Draft dissertation• Late

September

Final dissertation• Late

October

Timeline

For your information

• Supplementary documents (sent on request)

• Contact informationo C: 060 946 2390o E: chris-humphries@outlook.como T: @CancerMustFall

Referenceshttp://www.ee.co.za/article/map-highlights-photovoltaic-projects.html

http://www.corospondentglobal.com

Deichmann, U., Meisner, C., Murray, S., & Wheeler, D. (2011). The economics of renewable energy expansion in rural Sub-Saharan Africa. Energy Policy, 39(1), 215-227.

Menyah, K., & Wolde-Rufael, Y. (2010). Energy consumption, pollutant emissions and economic growth in South Africa. Energy Economics, 32(6), 1374-1382.

Pegels, A. 2010. Renewable energy in South Africa: Potentials, barriers and options for support. Energy policy, 38(9), 4945-4954.

Beebe, J. (1995). Basic concepts and techniques of rapid appraisal. Human organization, 54(1), 42-51.

Thank you