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Tensions in the transition: the politics of electricity distribution in South Africa

Version 2 2023-06-12, 08:52
Version 1 2023-06-09, 13:08
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-12, 08:52 authored by Lucy Baker, Jon Phillips
This paper argues that the distribution of electricity represents an important yet neglected aspect of the politics of energy transitions. In recent years South Africa’s electricity sector has seen the introduction of new actors and technologies, including the ‘prosumer’ (producer-consumer) of electricity and small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) from roof-top solar photovoltaics (PV). We analyse these recent developments in historical context and consider implications for contemporary planning, regulation and ownership of electricity. We find that the reconfiguration of electricity distribution faces significant political and economic challenges that are rooted in the country’s socio-economic and racial inequalities and its heavy dependence on coal-fired power. First SSEG offers potential opportunities for affordable, decentralised, low-carbon energy, yet disruption to the coal-powered electric grid and the monopoly of South Africa’s electricity utility has been minimal to date. Second, SSEG creates tensions between equitable and low carbon energy transitions and threatens critical revenue from the country’s wealthy consumers that cross-subsidises electricity services for the poor and other municipal public services. Third, the South African experience queries common assumptions about the democratic potential of decentralised governance. Fourth, South Africa provides insights of global significance into how political institutions have responded to social and technological drivers of change, in a context where planning and regulation have followed rather than led infrastructural developments. While energy policy remains unresponsive or resistant to social and technological change, there remain significant political, economic, technical and regulatory challenges to a just and inclusive energy transition.

Funding

Research Centre on Innovation and Energy Demand; G1020; RCUK-RESEARCH COUNCILS UK; EP/K011790/1

Urban Transformation in South Africa Through Co-Designing Energy Services Provision Pathways; G1982; ESRC-ECONOMIC & SOCIAL RESEARCH COUNCIL; ES/N014138/1

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space

ISSN

2399-6544

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Issue

1

Volume

37

Page range

177-196

Department affiliated with

  • SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2018-05-03

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2018-05-03

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2018-05-03

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