Abstract
The renewable energy sector is growing at a very slow pace in South Africa. Renewable technology fraternity are a threat to the existing fossil fuelled energy sector. The economy of South Africa has traditionally been dependent mainly on fossil-fuelled energy sources (i.e coal, oil and gas) for producing electricity. The universe weather conditions have worsen due to damages caused by Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHG) produced by fossil-fuelled energy sources. The earth planet is experiencing too much heat, drought and other hurricane life threatening disasters. The current population of the earth have a responsibility to minimise such pollutants for the sake of future generations.
The demand for energy in South Africa compels the government to increase its electricity generation, while concurrently reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Due to the above rationale a Renewable Energy Programme was introduced by South Africa in 2009 through the Department of Energy (DoE) partnered with private sector entities namely, the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) and the Independent Power Producers (IPP) office to form a Renewable Energy Programme known as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). The REIPPPP has been praised by the international community as very successful as it has channelled substantial resources into renewable energy (RE) projects at competitive prices.
The threat of Climate Change requires for consideration to switch to renewable energy resources that produce electricity without the emission of harmful greenhouse gases to the atmosphere. Environmental dilapidation affects us all, we need a healthy environment to live a healthy life, clean air and water, sage living areas, sufficient and healthy food. In August 1997, the Republic of South Africa joined the majority of countries in the international community in endorsement the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which is the international framework aiming at addressing global warming. South Africa is a significant contributor of Greenhouse Gases Emissions, globally and far the highest emitter on the African Continent...
M.Phil. (Engineering Management)