As South Africa struggles with the policy challenges of meeting the ever-growing demand by business and consumers for energy to fuel development and economic growth, households are faced with the increasing cost of electricity and other forms of energy, as well as the ongoing possibility of disruptive load shedding.
The global climate change agenda also has a significant role to play in this dilemma, and many consumers are concerned about “greening” the energy supply of their homes and offices to supplant coal-fired electricity with clean, renewable alternatives.
One of the key messages from this year’s Africa Energy Indaba, held recently at the Sandton Convention Centre, is that the global energy landscape has changed beyond recognition and that South Africa and its neighbours will have to lead the way in meeting the energy needs of the sub-continent within this global context.
