Latest news with #JustEnergyTransition
IOL News
28-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
How South Africa is leading the charge in hybrid solar energy development
Explore how South Africa is transforming its energy landscape through hybrid solar solutions, enhancing grid stability and meeting net-zero commitments in the face of climate challenges. Image: File. As the global energy sector races to meet net-zero commitments, utility-scale solar is undergoing a fundamental transformation. No longer defined by megawatt capacity alone, solar projects are now being evaluated on their ability to deliver dispatchable power, enhance grid stability, and provide critical ancillary services. Nowhere is this evolution more pronounced than in Africa, particularly South Africa, where the Just Energy Transition is accelerating the shift towards resilient, grid-integrated renewable energy. 'Across the continent, and especially in South Africa, we're seeing a strategic move away from variable-only generation,'Jaco Uys, SVP Projects Sub-Sahara Africa at Scatec said. 'What matters now is whether a project can deliver clean energy consistently on demand day or night. This means thinking beyond solar panels, to fully integrated energy systems,' Uys said. South Africa's Eskom-constrained grid has spotlighted the urgent need for firm, responsive power. As Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are increasingly permitted to co-develop transmission infrastructure under the country's new Independent Transmission Projects (ITP) framework, the focus is shifting to hybrid models that combine generation with advanced control technologies. At the forefront of this movement is Scatec's Kenhardt project, a hybrid solar-battery development in the Northern Cape. Boasting 540 MW of solar PV paired with 225 MW/1,140 MWh of battery storage, Kenhardt delivers consistent dispatchable energy under a 20-year Power Purchase Agreement with Eskom. It was recently recognised at the 2025 Solar Energy Conference in Norway for its trailblazing approach in combining renewables with storage to strengthen energy reliability. 'Kenhardt isn't just a solar project,' Nic Bailey, SVP Operational Excellence and Digitalisation at Scatec said. Bailey, alongside Uys, is representing the company at Intersolar Europe in Munich this week. 'It's a demonstration of what's possible when you pair clean generation with flexible output. We're not just injecting power into the grid—we're actively supporting it,' Bailey added. Speaking from Munich both Bailey and Uys shared further reflections on the state of the industry: 'We're not witnessing seismic shifts in solar technology,' Bailey further said. 'Instead, we're seeing incremental improvements in efficiency, equipment size, and LCOE year on year. That's a positive for IPPs like us—it allows for predictability in planning and stability in execution.' 'Amid challenges in the solar module market, the booming battery energy storage (BESS) sector is emerging as a vital growth area. It's reshaping the value chain and fuelling supplier diversification,' said Uys. 'It's clear that Scatec continues to stand out as a reliable partner,' Bailey said. 'Suppliers consistently point to our ability to move challenging projects forward in complex markets—something few others are managing as consistently.' As South Africa continues to unlock private sector participation and modernise its energy infrastructure, the lessons from Kenhardt and other grid-resilient projects are resonating far beyond its borders. Hybrid solutions represent the next chapter in the solar story—offering not just power, but progress. BUSINESS REPORT
Zawya
21-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: SAWEA NQF Level 3, wind turbine operator skills programme key to address unemployment
The South African Wind Energy Association's (SAWEA) NQF Level 3 Wind Turbine Operator Skills Programme has been approved by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO). The wind energy sector reflects on the critical role skills development plays in building a sustainable green economy and tackling the country's biggest challenge - unemployment says Morongoa Ramaboa, chief communications officer at the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) (Image supplied) According to the Just Energy Transition Skilling for Employment Programme (JET SEP), the wind industry could generate between 22,300 and 35,700 jobs by 2030, particularly in construction and end-of-life phases. Additionally, the Integrated Resource Plans (IRP2023 and IRP2024) project the deployment of 69GW to 76GW of wind energy capacity by 2050, potentially supporting up to 340,000 jobs. This massive potential highlights the urgency of developing a technically skilled, inclusive workforce. However, while the shift toward a Just Energy Transition presents unprecedented employment opportunities, it has been historically difficult for young people to enter the renewable energy sector. These challenges have limited participation in what is otherwise a high-growth and future-focused industry. This newly approved programme serves as an entry-level qualification, offering a practical and accessible route into the wind energy industry without requiring prior technical experience. By helping demystify renewable energy careers, it raises awareness and enables young South Africans to connect with previously unattainable opportunities. NQF Level 3 Wind Turbine Operator Skills Programme The programme is also backed by EWSETA bursary and grant funding, and will provide much-needed financial support to students from low-income households, thereby reducing cost barriers and ensuring accessibility. Developed through an industry-led process, the programme was initiated by SAWEA's Social Impact Standing Committee (SISC). A working group of training providers was formed in collaboration with the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), reinforcing the sector's commitment to a skills-driven transition. Growing interest in renewable energy careers Another initiative is SAWEA's Wind Industry Internship Programme. This programme provides aspiring graduates with hands-on experience across various disciplines in the renewable energy sector. It not only nurtures talent, it also builds a skilled and knowledgeable cohort of green professionals poised to lead the industry's expansion. The programme continues to receive a high volume of applications annually, with over 5,000 submitted for the 2025 intake - a notable increase from the 256 applications received for the 2024 intake. Despite this demand, placement capacity remains limited, with only 29 interns placed in 2024 and 53 in 2025. This significant rise in applications reflects the growing interest in renewable energy careers among unemployed youth. This trend also underlines the need for greater industry support and collaboration to expand such initiatives, ensuring more young people gain the experience and skills needed to enter the sector. Collaboration is key The Skills Development Act 97 of 1998 provides a framework for national, sectoral, and workplace strategies aimed at improving workforce skills while facilitating recognised occupational qualifications through learnerships. However, addressing the gap between industry demands and post-school education requires collective action. Recognising this need, the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) actively fosters collaboration through initiatives such as PowerUp, a digital skills facilitation hub that connects industry leaders, educational institutions, and key stakeholders to tackle critical skill shortages in the renewable energy sector. By working alongside the Energy and Water Sector Education and Training Authority (EWSETA), SAWEA strengthens workforce readiness and reinforces the importance of coordinated efforts in South Africa's energy transition. Mpumalanga: A case study in transition Drawing from Mpumalanga's evolving skills landscape, the province's transition from a coal-based economy to a renewable energy hub presents a compelling case for South Africa's broader energy shift. Historically home to many of the country's coal-fired power stations, Mpumalanga is now witnessing the growth of wind energy projects - these are reshaping workforce dynamics and necessitating large-scale reskilling and upskilling efforts. Studies on this transition highlight both challenges and opportunities. While the shift raises concerns about potential job losses in traditional coal sectors, it also presents substantial prospects for local employment, value creation, and skills development in the renewable space. The Just Energy Transition in Mpumalanga is expected to have significant socio-economic effects, particularly in towns like eMalahleni, where coal has long been central to the local economy. To ensure an inclusive transition, targeted workforce empowerment programmes must be prioritised. Mpumalanga's proactive approach demonstrates the importance of strategic planning and collaboration. With 3.3GW of available grid capacity and additional capacity anticipated from decommissioned coal plants by 2030, the province is well-positioned for large-scale renewable energy projects. However, critical challenges and other complexities, such as skills and environmental considerations, must be carefully navigated to enable a seamless transition. This transformation exemplifies the broader necessity for industry collaboration, policy alignment, and workforce investment to ensure that no one is left behind. Continued investment in workforce development As South Africa moves forward in its energy transition, building an inclusive green economy must remain at the forefront - one that empowers individuals through skills development while securing the country's position as a competitive investment destination for wind and renewable energy. While South Africa's energy needs and priorities are clear, the question remains: are we adequately equipped to support government efforts in implementing energy policies while maintaining the country's status as a leading investment destination for wind and renewable energy? As the sector grows, continued investment in workforce development will be crucial to unlocking the full potential of South Africa's wind energy industry. Addressing unemployment, skills gaps, and educational accessibility through targeted initiatives can ensure that the transition to renewable energy is inclusive, sustainable, and capable of driving long-term economic growth. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Associated Press
06-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Philanthropy Asia Alliance Launches Two New Communities to Tackle Health Challenges and Accelerate Asia's Just Energy Transition
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 May 2025 - The Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) today announced the launch of two new Communities – the Health for Human Potential (HHP) Community and the Just Energy Transition (JET) Community – at the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025. These Communities build on PAA's ongoing efforts to convene stakeholders around shared challenges and to explore promising pathways for philanthropic collaboration, applying a systems lens to drive scalable solutions in energy, health, and education. Each Community is helmed by Community Leads – PAA members – who will actively shape, fund and advance each Community's work together with PAA. The Community Leads for each Community are listed in the next two sections. Developed with PAA members and launched in 2024, the Communities initiative brings together funders, practitioners, and ecosystem partners to collaborate on shared missions and collectively fund high-impact, PAA-evaluated projects. The first three Communities introduced at last year's Summit were Blue Oceans, Sustainable Land Use, and Holistic & Inclusive Education. Since their launch, the first three Communities have forged various pathways, from peer learning and exchange of expertise to piloting collaborative projects. 'The Communities initiative was born from a simple idea: that we can do more, and do better, when we act together,' said Mr Shaun Seow, Chief Executive Officer, Philanthropy Asia Alliance. 'Tackling complex challenges across health, energy, or education calls for differentiated approaches. To drive deep impact, it is critical for PAA to provide focused platforms for collaboration, apart from industry convenings such as the Philanthropy Asia Summit. The two new Communities are another step forward in that direction. We are grateful to all our Community Leads for their commitment, partnership, and belief in our collective impact.' Health for Human Potential (HHP) Community: Tackling Asia's Health Challenges with Ambition and Urgency PAA has launched the HHP Community with two objectives: to reduce preventable deaths and disease burdens across Southeast Asia, focusing on maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition (MNCHN), as well as to tackle infectious diseases. The initial leads of the Health for HHP Community are the Gates Foundation, Institute of Philanthropy, Quantedge Advancement Initiative, Tanoto Foundation, and Temasek Foundation. Together, they are catalysing a bold ambition to drive lasting improvements in health across Asia. To kickstart efforts, the HHP Community Leads and the Philanthropy Asia Alliance will commit catalytic funding towards a portfolio of projects. With an initial funding target of US$100 million by 2030, the Community aims not only to deliver impact but also to strengthen the broader giving ecosystem by welcoming new partners and building a sustained, long-term coalition committed to improving health outcomes in the region. Discussions with other partners are ongoing and more are expected to join in coming months. The HHP Community will drive impact across the health innovation and delivery continuum by advancing affordable health solutions, strengthening health systems, promoting cross-sector collaboration, and integrating digital and AI tools into solutions that align with national health priorities. Efforts will initially focus on Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam – Southeast Asia's most populous countries – where important gains have been made but further progress is needed to achieve Sustainable Development Goals related to MNCHN and infectious diseases, including tuberculosis and malaria. Just Energy Transition Community: Catalysing Philanthropic Action for a Clean and Inclusive Energy Future Co-led with members including Tara Climate Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, and other philanthropic organisations, PAA has also launched the Just Energy Transition (JET) Community to galvanise philanthropic leadership and accelerate Asia's shift towards clean, inclusive, and people-centred energy solutions. Despite being home to over half the world's population and accounting for more than 50% of global energy consumption[1], Asia receives disproportionately lower philanthropic support for its critical energy transition. Between 2019 and 2023, just 20% of philanthropic funding reached Asia, Africa, and Latin America combined, while nearly 60% flowed to the U.S. and Europe[2]. The JET Community seeks to close this gap, serving as a collaboration platform for philanthropic organisations to support clean energy initiatives that protect the environment, improve livelihoods, and support a better future for millions across the region. It will create space for funders, governments, industry, and local communities to work together and share ideas, build meaningful partnerships, and co-develop initiatives around job creation, workforce reskilling, better health outcomes, and stronger, more resilient communities. Refer to the Appendix for quotes from the HHP and JET Community Leads. Scaling Collective Impact: A Systems Approach At the Philanthropy Asia Summit 2025, both Communities will host kick-off sessions to engage like-minded partners and catalyse collaboration around shared goals. These sessions will mark the start of co-developing each Community's Collective Impact Framework – a strategic blueprint that defines a common mission, scopes the challenge, and sets clear metrics and timelines for progress. The Communities will also bring together researchers, industry groups, thought leaders, and programme experts — including Temasek Foundation, which brings 18 years of experience piloting and catalysing innovative solutions and programmes with partners in Asia and beyond. Temasek Trust will support the Communities in applying a systems thinking approach to impact design and measurement. [1] Source: World Economic Forum [2] Source: ClimateWorks Funding Trends 2024 Report APPENDIX Quote Sheet The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Philanthropy Asia Alliance Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA) is a Temasek Trust initiative dedicated to catalysing collaborative philanthropy in Asia through dynamic multi-sector partnerships. By harnessing collective strengths, PAA multiplies impact, accelerates positive change, and takes urgent action to address the pressing environmental and social challenges of our time. PAA's flagship programme is the annual Philanthropy Asia Summit. For more information, visit
Straits Times
05-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
2 philanthropic communities launched to boost clean energy and improve maternal, child health
The Just Energy Transition community will help to accelerate Asia's energy transition away from pollutive fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI SINGAPORE – With Asia grappling with challenges in shifting to clean energy sources and reducing preventable deaths among women and children, two new communities of givers were launched on May 5 to accelerate the search for solutions in these areas. These philanthropic groupings, called the Health for Human Potential community and the Just Energy Transition (JET) community, were introduced during the Philanthropy Asia Summit convened by the Temasek Trust-backed Philanthropy Asia Alliance (PAA). The event was held at the Marina Bay Sands Convention Centre. This brings the total number of communities initiated by PAA to five. The first three were launched at 2024's summit on blue oceans, sustainable land use, and holistic and inclusive education. These communities serve as platforms for collaboration among alliance members keen on funding initiatives under the different themes. 'The communities initiative was born from a simple idea: that we can do more, and do better, when we act together,' said PAA chief executive Shaun Seow. 'To drive deep impact, it is critical for PAA to provide focused platforms for collaboration, apart from industry convenings such as the Philanthropy Asia Summit.' The JET community, led by Tara Climate Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies, will help to hasten Asia's energy transition away from pollutive fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources. PAA and Tara Climate Foundation did not disclose how much they will commit to fund projects. According to the ClimateWorks Funding Trends 2024 report, just 20 per cent of philanthropic funding reached Asia, Africa and Latin America combined between 2019 and 2023, while nearly 60 per cent flowed to the United States and Europe. JET seeks to close this gap, serving as a collaboration platform for philanthropic organisations to support clean energy initiatives that protect the environment, improve livelihoods, and support a better future for millions across the region, said PAA. This helps funders, governments, industry and local communities to work together to promote initiatives around job creation, workforce re-skilling, and establishing better health outcomes and more resilient communities. Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines have set strong renewable energy targets for 2030 – some aiming as high as 40 per cent of their total electricity share. However, across Asia, wind and solar energy still remain in the single digits, said Tara Climate Foundation chief executive Jamie Choi. 'The start of the Just Energy Transition community will be mostly about solar and wind energy, which is more widely available across all of Asia. But all technologies are on the table, and we're open to tap other sources of renewable energy like geothermal energy in the future,' she said. She added that the transition must centre around people first for communities to benefit from the shift to clean energy, and hence a need to invest in skills, jobs and support systems. 'With the support of this community, we aim to ensure that the shift to clean energy doesn't just leave anyone behind, especially the workers and communities that have long relied on fossil fuels. At the same time, we want to make sure that the benefits of the transition, from better jobs and clean energy access, to economic opportunity, reach those who need them the most,' she said . 'The bottom line is Asia has momentum. Now, we need bold policies, smart finance, and strong collaboration to turn ambition into action and ensure that transition not just fast, but also fair,' she said. She also added: 'Energy transition in Asia is too big for anyone to tackle alone. This is why collaboration and deep partnerships are not just a 'nice to have'. They are a must-have.' The Health and Human Potential community will focus on reducing preventable deaths and disease burdens in South-east Asia, focusing on maternal, newborn, and child health and nutrition, as well as tackling infectious diseases. Led by the Gates Foundation, Institute of Philanthropy, Quantedge Advancement Initiative, Tanoto Foundation and Temasek Foundation, the community – with the support of PAA – will commit to a funding target of US$100 million (S$1.3 million) by 2030, to target a portfolio of projects. The Tanoto Foundation, for instance, is dedicated to studying the effects of malnutrition in children – such as obesity, wasting and stunting – and potential solutions. Wasting refers to the progressive weakening of the body, and stunting is an impairment in physical growth and brain development of children. Working extensively with Indonesia's National Population and Family Planning Board, which coordinates the government's 22 ministries and agencies tackling stunting, Tanoto Foundation has helped identify and assist at-risk families. 'Interventions at the provincial and district level focus on raising awareness among key demographics, including expectant mothers, adolescents, and parents of young children . A notable initiative was partnering with Unicef in 2021 to run mass media and digital campaigns promoting six best practices for preventing stunting to caregivers across Indonesia ,' said Ms Belinda Tanoto, member of the board of trustees at Tanoto Foundation. She added: 'When we first started work in 2017 in Indonesia, the stunting rate was 31 per cent. But a long-time partnership between the Gates Foundation and a few other donors led us to set up a multi-donor trust fund to work on this... Now, it's dropped to 21 per cent.' The foundation has since partnered with the Indonesian government and donors, including multilateral organisations like the World Bank and Unicef, and local ones like the Djarum Foundation, to fund medical research and professorships to study solutions. They have also committed US$25 million to replicate its Indonesian programmes addressing stunting and other causes abroad. The communities initiative will allow philanthropies to come together to go beyond specific countries, and invest in the early years to tackle such issues on a regional scale, she added. Efforts will initially focus on the region's most populous countries – Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam – to tackle the burden of diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria. At the summit, the two novel communities will host kick-off sessions to engage like-minded partners to collaborate for shared goals. These sessions will map out a blueprint of the communities' mission, scope of challenge, metrics and timelines for progress. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Daily Maverick
29-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Maverick
Eskom finalising plans for old coal-fired power stations to potentially run on gas, nuclear
Eskom says it will 'decouple' the shutdown of old coal plants from its Just Energy Transition strategy, and is exploring repurposing them for gas or nuclear power. 'Clean coal', natural gas or nuclear? In the next six months, South Africans should have a clearer picture of how Eskom thinks some of its aged coal-fired power plants will operate going forward following their 'repurposing'. In 2021, as part of its Just Energy Transition (JET) strategy, Eskom committed to 'retiring nine coal-fired power stations by 2035, not investing in new coal plants nor returning to service coal plants'. This was in line with the 2019 Integrated Resources Plan, which anticipated that about 11,000 MW of coal capacity would be decommissioned by 2030. In the time since, the approach has evolved with the shutdowns being delayed and managed to balance emission reduction commitments with the need to maintain grid stability and avoid exacerbating load shedding. In recent weeks, that approach has been codified into a strategy that may see coal stations that were once due to be shut down finding a second life as nuclear power stations. Presenting its Strategic Corporate Plan for 2025-2030, its Shareholder Compact for 2025-2026 and Budget for 2025-2026 to Parliament's portfolio committee on energy and electricity, Eskom board chairperson Mteto Nyati last week explained: 'What we have also done is to decouple the shutdown of the power stations from the implementation of the JET strategy and that decoupling has meant that now we are going to be doing what we're calling 'repurposing' of those power stations way before we shut them down so that we do not negatively impact the communities that depend on those power stations.' The JET was one element of Eskom's part of South Africa's broader energy transition, where the country would, in line with international treaties, climate imperatives and the realities of the energy market, reduce the carbon intensity of South African society and its economy. South Africa has pledged to reduce emissions to between 350 and 420 million metric tons annually by 2030, down from the current 442 million tons per year under its updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2021. Eskom is the largest contributor to South Africa's greenhouse gas emissions and the majority of those emissions, in turn, come from the utility's fleet of coal-fired power stations. Gas, nuclear or something else? Speaking to Daily Maverick in Parliament last week, Acting Director-General of the Ministry of Electricity and Energy Subesh Pillay said that whether the repurposing of the stations would mean they would generate electricity using natural gas or nuclear energy, or something else altogether, hadn't yet been finalised. 'The repurposing of power stations, firstly, is technology neutral. So it could be nuclear, it could be clean coal technology, it could be gas. Yes, nuclear is a big consideration because if you look at SMR (small modular reactors) as a technology, the location of the existing power plants makes it (feasible because of) grid access, you've got EIA (environmental impact authorisation) approvals, you've got a site that's designed for those kind of applications. So existing sites does lend itself to maximise the assets that you've got there, to invest in small modular reactor technology on those existing sites. That detailed work is what Eskom is currently finalising now,' said Pillay. Briefing Parliament's portfolio committee on energy and electricity a day earlier than Eskom, Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa CEO Loyiso Tyabashe said: 'We're looking at partnering with Eskom for fleet rollout and repurposing of their coal power stations going forward.' In response to a question from members about specific timelines, Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa board chairperson David Nicholls said: 'My view is that if we were to go with a (small modular reactor) design that is currently in commercial operation, for example the Chinese or the Russians, but quite likely the Chinese because the technology is PBMR (pebble bed modular reactor) style, then we could have the lead unit up and running on the Pelindaba site probably around 2031/2032. 'Prior to the startup of the actual reactor, it would be highly credible for follow-on machines to be ordered because we would know the Chinese design works and we'd have got far enough in the construction of the first one to sort out licensing, regulations, economics and the rest of it, so idealistically by the mid-2030s we could be rolling out small modular reactors on to decommissioned sites of the old coal stations,' Nicholls said. Asked about which power stations would be earmarked for such repurposing and which technologies would be used, Pillay said: 'At the programmatic level, within the next six months, we should be able to say which power stations, what technology are we pursuing and that will include across the board, gas, nuclear and clean coal.' Health impact While the details about Eskom's coal fleet's future are being worked on, the cost of delay mounts. A 2023 report from the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air found that if the decommissioning of the country's coal plants only begins in 2030 or beyond, it would cause a projected 15,300 excess air pollution-related deaths and economic costs of R345-billion. How this changes if the stations are repurposed is less apparent. Ntombi Maphosa, an attorney at the Centre for Environmental Rights, told Daily Maverick that she was unable to comment fully without knowing which plants were due for repurposing. 'What I can highlight, though, is that in 2024, former minister Barbara Creecy directed Eskom to submit detailed decommissioning plans for Camden, Hendrina, Arnot, Grootvlei, and Kriel. Eskom has indicated that these will be submitted in May this year. Eskom is obliged to run a participation process on the decommissioning plans, and that is one of the fora where meaningful engagement must take place with affected communities. 'We have always advocated for the timely decommissioning of ageing power plants, especially because most Eskom power stations do not operate in accordance with air pollution laws (the Minimum Emission Standards). Furthermore, the five power stations mentioned above have been granted suspensions from the emission standards, meaning they will be allowed to pollute at higher levels than allowed in the Minimum Emission Standards until they are decommission,' said Maphosa. 'Keeping the power stations operational for longer and in non-compliance with the Minimum Emission Standards will impact the health and wellbeing of affected communities and exacerbate air pollution in the Highveld (which is already extremely polluted, resulting in deaths and illness). This is taking place, despite the Deadly Air judgment, which was recently confirmed by the Supreme Court of Appeal.' 'The Deadly Air judgment holds that the right to an environment not harmful to health and wellbeing is immediately realisable. This principle should always be considered in every decision-making process and how it is going to affect people,' she said. Francesca de Gasparis, Executive Director at the South African Faith Communities' Environmental Institute echoed Maphosa's sentiments. 'Plans like those proposed by Eskom for the power plant repurposing need effective public participation and much more information in the public realm on the true costs (whole life cycle of energy system), jobs, climate and safety implications, and affordability of the electricity from these sources. A Just Energy Transition requires Eskom to start operating in a very different way from what it has done historically,' she said. 'Communities are not being given the opportunity to be meaningfully consulted. This is at risk of repeating patterns of exclusion, once again not realising the opportunity for development or to strengthen democratic processes and community participation. 'The government seems not to be following democratic processes or understanding its role in terms of service delivery or what will be necessary to tackle climate change and ensure vulnerable communities do not suffer as a result of poor decision making. Eskom is beset with problems and is increasing electricity tariffs by double digits each year, and yet their planning and updated strategy show how out of touch they are with lived reality for many South Africans.' DM
