Power Sector Transition in

Kwazakhele Township

Saltuba Cooperative shows a great opportunity that community-owned energy can provide opportunities for citizens to gain control over community resources, and decrease local vulnerability while supporting national climate and resilience goals.

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Topical Summaries

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Community-owned energy, such as providing opportunities for citizens to gain control over community resources, can decrease local vulnerability while supporting national climate and resilience goals. Saltuba Cooperative’s solar array is a 5kW installation on a carport structure in a public area known as the “gap tap.” It utilizes existing public spaces within townships. The land in Saltuba's "gap tap" is also being used for food gardens irrigated by greywater and rainwater from participating households. The re-utilization of the "gap tap" area in this community shows multiple benefits and implies great potential for applying solar deployment across the country.

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Power Sector Transition in Kwazakhele Township

2024 South Africa Operating and Prospective Energy Capacity (Megawatts)

AnnouncedPre-ConstructionConstructionOperating
Coal1,5001,45580044,224.1
Oil and Gas1,8208,8503,705
Nuclear1,940
Hydropower3,492
Solar5766,051.51,9584,480
Wind2151,740.57333,742

Articles and Resources

References
  1. IRENA (2023), Socio-economic footprint of the energy transition: South Africa International Renewable Energy Agency, Abu Dhabi., 2023
  2. Home is where the power is: The Saltuba Cooperative Cherry, Patrick Brennan and Janet (2021-11-29)., South Africa Labour Bulletin. Retrieved 2024-01-17.
  3. TRANSITION TOWNSHIP: Action Research on Climate Change and Development Alternatives: Piloting Localised and Sustainable Township Economies in KwaZakhele Nelson Mandela Bay Report and Phase Four Funding Proposal,” Janet Cherry of the Nelson Mandela University's Department of Development Studies, 2020.
  1. SalTuba forges ahead with new smart building HeraldLIVE. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
  2. Social ownership models in the energy transition: Report for the Presidential Climate Commission. Cherry, J. et al., Gqeberha: Nelson Mandela University, 2023