Powering progress quenching thirst, according to the World Economic Forum, only 24% of sub-Saharan Africans have access to electricity. The entire continent’s energy generation capacity, excluding South Africa, is just 28 gigawatts-the same as Argentina’s alone. This is despite research from McKinsey suggesting Africa’s potential solar energy capacity could exceed 10 terawatts. Renewable energy sources have proven to be the most effective path toward a just energy transition.
Energy is also critical for providing safe drinking water, regardless of the supply size or developmental stage. Affordable and clean energy is not only one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals but also fundamental to economic growth. Low electrification rates negatively impact GDP per capita and community development, as increased energy access drives improvements in healthcare, education, life expectancy, and economic opportunities.
In South Africa, the situation is complex. Eskom, which generates most of its power from coal, is burdened with R400 billion in debt and aging infrastructure that struggles to meet national demand. In response, Eskom plans to split into three divisions: generation, transmission, and distribution.
A CSIR report from the first half of 2021 detailed South Africa’s power generation capacity:
- Coal: 38.7 GW
- Diesel: 3.4 GW
- Pumped Storage: 2.7 GW
- Wind: 2.6 GW
- Solar PV: 2.2 GW
- Nuclear: 1.9 GW
- Hydro: 0.6 GW
- CSP (Concentrated Solar Power): 0.5 GW
During this period, an additional 725 MW of coal, 118 MW of wind, and 54 MW of utility-scale solar PV also became operational.
Water and energy are the cornerstones of our economic development, and every stage of energy production requires water. The government’s mandate is to protect, manage, and conserve the nation’s water resources while ensuring effective water and sanitation services. A secure power supply is essential to fulfilling this mandate.
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