The Energy Landscape in the Republic of South Africa

A timely overview of the energy landscape in South Africa (RSA) is presented in this Springerbrief. The background and context to the current situation, and analysis of the policies being put forward by the government for the near future are described. Four broad areas are covered: reserves and production of fossil fuels, the electricity sector, the rapidly growing exploitation of renewable energy, and the recent push towards developing an industry around hydrogen and fuel cells. This Springerbrief presents a methodical review of the energy landscape in RSA, covering the general situation, the supply and demand for energy, and the structure of the energy sector (Chapters 1&2). Chapter 3 presents data and analysis of the country’s fossil fuels, electricity generation, and the chemistry of green, future sources of energy, production and the role of industry. Chapter 4 discusses recent developments, including the impact on green jobs and green funds, and Chapter 5 reflects on the policies that have been proposed and their potential implications.

Professor Bruno Pollet is currently working at the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town as Professor of Energy Materials and Systems and Director of the DST Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) Systems Competence Centre (an industry oriented and led RD&D Centre with a strong emphasis on demonstrator/prototype development and energy materials manufacturing). Professor Pollet is known in the field (both in academia and industry) to be a dynamic, energetic, enthusiastic, positive and visionary individual with expertise and experience in the research fields of Hydrogen Energy, PEMFC, Fuel Cell Electrocatalysis and Electrochemical Engineering. Prof. Iain Staffell is based Imperial College Business School, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2AZ, England, UK Kerry-Ann Adamson MD is a Consultant based at 4thEnergyWave Ltd, Edinburgh, EH7 5AH, Scotland, UK.