Positioning South Africa’s energy supply mix internationally

Comparative and policy review analysis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2019/v30i2a5409

Keywords:

Energy supply mix; Renewable energy; Green economy; BRICS; OECD

Abstract

Optimisation and diversification of South Africa’s energy generation mix is fundamental to meeting its developmental goals and enhancing the crucially important security of supply. South Africa should investigate means to diversify its generating capacity. With the growing demand, South Africa has reached a point where other methods of power generation need to be considered and implemented. This study gives a detailed description of the South African energy supply mix, its evolvement in the past 25 years, and assesses how South Africa fares in comparison with other countries such as its BRICS companions (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) and in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in terms of its current and future energy mix. It was found that the total primary energy supply (TPES) share of non-OECD countries is becoming more prominent, with China, India, and Russia being significant contributors. The OECD’s ratio of universal TPES decreased from 1990 to 2015. There is a heavy reliance on fossil fuels in the BRICS countries, which appeals to appropriate policies to influence and guide the transition from the current fossil fuel-dominated energy supply mix to one that follows international trends but, most of all, appreciates its specific geographic position and natural resources.

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South Africa benchmarked viv-a-vis international energy supply mixes

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Published

2019-06-22

How to Cite

Positioning South Africa’s energy supply mix internationally: Comparative and policy review analysis. (2019). Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, 30(2), 14-27. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2019/v30i2a5409