Renewable energy development for South Africa : a regional planning approach

Abstract

Since the mid-1990s there has been growing consensus around the world that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions derived from burning fossil fuels for energy generation purposes (among others) are contributing to climate change, resulting in what has become known as global warming. This recognition has resulted in the adoption of several international treaties and agreements aimed at committing countries to reduce their GHG emissions through policy intervention. South Africa has ratified the Paris Agreement and through its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) vowed to reduce GHG emissions, particularly in the energy sector, as this is where the largest gains can be made. South Africa has subsequently prioritized renewable energy to generate electrical energy in many of its policies. In addition to the need to diversify the energy mix, South Africa is also in dire need to increase electrical energy capacity to support economic growth and development. To support economic growth, the South African National Treasury prepared an economic policy document in 2018 wherein it is highlighted that South Africa needs to improve the current electricity planning process to achieve economic growth and development. Regional spatial planning as a professional discipline can be described as a future-orientated process concerned with fixing social and/or economic problems with the broad aim of achieving regional economic development and directing an ideal or ambition for a territory by making use of instruments such as planning regions for which development plans can be formulated. Development plans contain spatial directives that influence the future distribution of activities in space as well as a practical implementation framework. Theories of industrial location and regional development can be drawn on to make sound spatial planning decisions as such decisions will have a long-term impact. The ‘new growth theory’ postulates that regional development is a result of exploiting endogenous factors of production through spatially targeted policies, institutional arrangements and technology. Internationally, renewable energy is facilitated through policy frameworks wherein energy sector and spatial planning is integrated at a regional level. Furthermore, it has been suggested by an international statutory planning council that spatial planning professionals and departments need to be directly involved in the energy planning process. However, the current electricity planning system in South Africa is detached from spatial planning necessitating the need for intervention in this regard. It was found that increasing renewable energy in South Africa can achieve both economic development as well as lower GHG emissions. Internationally, successful renewable energy implementation is done via a holistic approach wherein energy sector and spatial planning is integrated. This study

makes proposals for how the energy sector and spatial planning can be combined to form an integrated policy framework to facilitate renewable energy deployment in South Africa to achieve regional economic development.