Wind turbines: a source of renewable energy. During a recent online webinar on the findings of a renewable energy research project, the discussion centred on how projects such as these should take nearby communities into account. PHOTO: RawFilm on Unsplash.
The future of renewable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa should take local communities into account.
This was according to participants in an online webinar hosted by the Africa Energy Forum, Lekela Power and ESI Africa on 28 May.
The discussion presented findings on a research project which examined how the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) would affect local communities in South Africa.
The research project was part of a collaboration with multiple research institutions, including the United Nations’ environment programme and Stellenbosch University (SU).
The panel included two SU researchers, prof Mark Swilling (co-director at the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition at Stellenbosch University) and dr Holle Linnea Wlokas, who also works at the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition, as well as the head of environmental, social and governance of Lekela Power, Jennifer Boca.
Panellists who presented during the recent webinar on the TENTRANS research project, were, clockwise from top left: Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl (moderator), Dr Holle Linnea Wlokas, Prof Mark Swilling and Jennifer Boca. PHOTO: Screenshot taken during the online discussion. Enter a caption
The TENTRANS research project also “succeeded” in analysing the effectiveness of the REIPPP Programme in “promoting socio-economic development and what this means for attaining a sustainable and just energy transition in South Africa,” according to the discussion moderator, Nicolette Pombo-van Zyl, editor of ESI Africa, in an interview following the discussion.
Community impact
“In an African context, it’s not just about business. Poverty and a country’s development objectives are also kept in mind,” said Boca during the webinar, referring to future implementation of renewable energy schemes on the continent.
During the discussion, all panellists agreed that local communities should be taken into consideration during the implementation of renewable energy projects.
Dr Wlokas, a senior researcher at the Centre for Complex Systems in Transition at SU, said that working with communities, instead of for communities, is the future.
Projects should adopt a “value-based approach”, meaning they should be concerned with the communities they work in, said Boca. She also stated to future renewable energy developers that working with communities would have a positive effect on their business.
A poll that was put to the viewers twice during the online discussion, with the results remaining roughly the same at both the beginning and end of the report. PHOTO: Screenshot taken during the online discussion.
TENTRANS research project
An interactive map showing the generation sights for various REIPPPP projects throughout South Africa. The projects were rolled out in successive stages, with REIPPPP 1 being the first to be implemented. Dassiesklip Wind Energy Facility is the closest project to the Stellenbosch municipality. PHOTO: Screenshot from energyblog website.
The TENTRANS research project, which launched in 2011 according to dr Wlokas, examined how REIPPPP would impact local industry and institutional change.
“The TENTRANS project is the first substantial academic research undertaking that has been funded to pay attention to the more nuanced social dynamics and implications also on a community level that arise as a result of REIPPPP,” said dr Wlokas.
The research project analysed the implications for a sustainable energy transition in South Africa, which according to the panellists, was possible.
“REIPPPP proved to the country that renewables can work,” said prof Swilling.