Prepaid Electricity Meters and Energy Poverty—Lessons from South Africa

2021 ◽  
pp. 55-76
Author(s):  
Njabulo Kambule ◽  
Nnamdi Nwulu
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Poverty

Addressing Energy Poverty Through Ecological Governance of Solar Home Systems in South Africa

2022 ◽  
pp. 253-276
Author(s):  
Edzisani Ellen Netshiozwi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Poverty Eradication ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Environmental Preservation ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
The Future ◽  
Ecological Governance ◽  
Home Systems

South Africa has long recognised the need to eliminate energy poverty, and significant progress has been made since 1996. With the recent global outcry about the use of sustainable and clean energy sources for human and ecological development, it has become essential for countries to upscale the use of non-grid electrification in order to effectively and sustainably eradicate energy poverty. South Africa implements different non-grid electrification programmes which focuses on ensuring universal access to clean energy by all, with one of these initiatives being the Solar Home Systems Programme. This study aims to contribute to academic discussion and knowledge about the role that solar home systems can play in bringing change on the current status of the energy poverty eradication initiatives which negatively affect the environment and the people. The study used a qualitative approach in assessing how the Solar Home Systems Programme contributes to energy poverty eradication and environmental preservation if managed in line with ecological governance principles. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 40 households in Limpopo and officials from government departments in the province as well as a service provider responsible for the roll-out and maintenance of solar home systems in Limpopo. Framed within the ecological economics theory which advocates for ecological and environmental solutions that take into consideration the future generation, the study established that the solar home systems can eradicate energy poverty and contribute to the protection of the environment if managed in line with ecological governance principles. The study further revealed that the Solar Home Systems Programme in South Africa failed due to lack of proper governance systems that provide solutions for the future as the programme was short-term focused and lacked proper ecological governance systems. In order for the solar home systems to contribute to energy poverty eradication and environmental protection, the study recommends a total overhaul of the programme which includes ensuring that the provision of SHSs is not viewed as a temporary measure that is only meant for poor rural households but a long-term and sustainable initiative.

Assessment of household energy poverty levels in Louiville, Mpumalanga, South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shalala L. Mgwambani ◽  
Kevin K. Kasangana ◽  
Tafadzwa Makonese ◽  
Daniel Masekameni ◽  
Mary Gulumian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Household Energy ◽  
Poverty Levels

Determinants of energy poverty in South Africa

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (3) ◽  
pp. 66-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaakirah Ismail ◽  
Patrick Khembo
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
National Income ◽  
Department Of Energy ◽  
Income Dynamics ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Expenditure Patterns ◽  
Regression Framework ◽  
Individual Household

This paper provides empirical evidence on the determinants of energy poverty in South African households using the National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS, 2012), while controlling for individual, household and demographic characteristics. This is formulated within a logistic regression framework, while defining energy poverty using the expenditure approach consistent with the definition by the Department of Energy (DoE) of South Africa. The model reveals that household expenditure patterns, race, education level, household and dwelling size, location of the household and access to electricity are important factors in explaining the state of energy in South African households. This paper also discusses limitations in defining energy poverty using the expenditure approach. Finally, some recommendations are made for regulators and policy makers.

scholarly journals The energy transition patterns of low-income households in South Africa: An evaluation of energy programme and policy

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 75-85 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvia Olawumi Israel-Akinbo ◽  
Jen Snowball ◽  
Gavin Fraser
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Geographical Location ◽  
Energy Transition ◽  
Space Heating ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Energy Carriers ◽  
Marginal Effects ◽  
Electricity Access

The transition to modern energy carriers like electricity is an important way to achieve to eradicate energy poverty. This study investigated energy transition patterns and trends in low-income South African households. The marginal effects of the different determinants on the probability of choosing a specific energy carrier were computed and the influence of some endogenous characteristics in transitioning to modern energy carriers was explored. It was found that energy ladder behaviour exists for cooking while energy stacking was most likely for space heating and the pattern for lighting tended towards energy stacking. Dwelling type, household size and geographical location were among the key determinants of the energy transition pattern. Policies to reduce energy poverty need a multi-pronged approach and not only a focus on electricity access.

Addressing Economic and Energy Poverty Through Locally Available Biomass Resources: Investigation of Issues Concerning India and South Africa

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Enweremadu ◽  
Debendra Baruah ◽  
Sadhan Mahapatra ◽  
Dipam Patowary ◽  
Gunajit Sarma ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Financial Incentives ◽  
Organic Fertilizer ◽  
Appropriate Technology ◽  
Energy Integration ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Sustainable Technologies ◽  
Biomass Resources ◽  
Long Term Impact ◽  
Entrepreneurial Activities

The cyclic effect of energy poverty and economic poverty has been conclusively evidenced primarily from the experiences of developing World. In the developing countries, struggle to meet the basic energy needs impacts the life of the poorer section in terms of cost of health, education and quality. However, considering the adequate biomass resources and sustainable technologies for conversion of surplus biomass into useful form of energy; integration of the surplus resources with appropriate technology offers opportunities to address both energy and economic poverty. In this study, feasibility of some proven options of bioenergy based energy technologies and enterprises are investigated to understand their prospects to address energy and economic hardship considering a case study from India and analyzed its replicability in South Africa. Resources inventories, avenues of additional income generation and long term impact of selected bioenergy enterprise options (biogas and producer gas and improved stove) are investigated in the context of both the countries. Organic fertilizer (vermicompost), mushroom and community based agro-industries are some of the prospective entrepreneurial activities which can be supported by the bioenergy options. Considering the abundance and characteristics, feasibility of converting surplus biomass resources (crop residue, manure, food waste) into required energy along with revenue earning avenues is indicated by the study. However, there are social and managerial issues which required to be addressed besides provisions for financial incentives to realize the benefits of such integrated systems.

scholarly journals Reducing energy poverty through carbon tax revenues in South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Winkler
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Indoor Air Pollution ◽  
Carbon Tax ◽  
Tax Revenue ◽  
Liquefied Petroleum Gas ◽  
Carbon Taxes ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Tax Revenues ◽  
Poor Households ◽  
Rooftop Solar

How much can poverty be reduced through carbon tax revenue? This study analyses specific programmes, with carbon taxes generating revenues and equivalent spending on programmes to reduce energy poverty. The twin challenges of development and climate change could be addressed in this way in South Africa. A simple spreadsheet model was used to estimate revenue available from a carbon tax, given different tax rates and emission projections. Four programmes to reduce energy poverty were quantified: electrification, extended free basic energy, scaling-up sustainable housing, and subsidising rooftop solar for poor households. Matching carbon revenue with equivalent expenditure, the study found that applying all carbon revenue to a single programme could fund the national budget for electrification. Hundreds of thousands, and up to tens of millions, of households could receive free energy in the form of 5 kg of liquefied petroleum gas every month, as well as better houses that are warmer in winter and with fewer health impacts from indoor air pollution. Carbon revenues could fund at least a few hundred thousand improved homes, or subsidies for at least 100 000 rooftop solar systems per year to poor households. Institutional and other constraints would have to be addressed. Carbon revenue could fully fund all four programmes combined into an integrated strategy, in three of the four scenarios. The results suggested that full funding could be available from 2019 or from 2025, dependent on carbon tax revenue scenario. Energy poverty can be reduced by expenditure of carbon tax revenues.

scholarly journals Measuring energy poverty in South Africa based on household required energy consumption

2021 ◽  
Vol 103 ◽  
pp. 105553
Author(s):  
Yuxiang Ye ◽  
Steven F. Koch
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Poverty

scholarly journals An Assessment of the Energy Poverty and Gender Nexus towards Clean Energy Adoption in Rural South Africa

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (12) ◽  
pp. 3708
Author(s):  
Omowunmi Mary Longe
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Income Poverty ◽  
Rural South ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
Time Poverty ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
And Gender

South Africa has about 2.5 million households without electricity access, most of which are located in rural areas and urban informal settlements. The nexus of energy poverty and gender is at play in the affected communities, as women and girls are culturally stereotyped with the task of collecting unclean fuels (e.g., firewood) and using these for their households’ energy demands. Therefore, this study prioritized rural women and girls as respondents in the provinces most affected by gendered energy poverty (GEP) in the country. The study was carried out in selected rural unelectrified areas of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces using structured interviews. The study revealed that GEP in the rural areas has exposed women and girls living there to security concerns, health hazards, premature death, domestic fire accidents, time poverty, income poverty, illiteracy, drudgery in households and farm tasks, etc., at different levels of severity. It also showed the effects of perceptions, age, income, and culture on the choice of energy use among the respondents. Mitigation strategies against GEP in rural South African communities through clean energy adoption are also proposed in this paper.

Energy Poverty and Climate Change

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcio Giannini Pereira ◽  
Neilton Fidelis da Silva ◽  
Marcos A.V. Freitas
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
South Africa ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Climate Changes ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Dimension ◽  
Human Right ◽  
Energy Poverty ◽  
The World ◽  
Basic Services

Energy is essential to human survival. Supplying energy to all citizens is a requirement for social well-being and for a country’s economic development. The aim of this chapter is to discuss the differences in the availability of electricity around the world, mainly in Brazil, China, India, and South Africa, from a perspective of access as a human right. In this context, the concept of energy poverty and its nexus to climate changes will be discussed, considering the human dimension and equity. Moreover, this chapter presents metrics and new metrics (energy/climate changes), emphasizing the need to promote a program focused on access to electric power and to expand other basic services in developing countries.

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