South Africa: Tackling the Energy Trilemma
MEC for infrastructure Development, Ms Qedani Mahlangu has joined international energy guru’s in calling for a global paradigm shift to achieve a sustainable solution to the ‘energy trilemma’ (the three challenges of energy security, social equity and environmental impact mitigation). Speaking at day two of Africa Energy Indaba in Sandton today, MEC Mahlangu said, ‘we need to move beyond business as usual. The energy trilemma is more poignant to developing countries within the African continent than ever before, we need to develop energy policies which decisively address the conflicting challenges of energy security, social equity and environmental sustainability – we need a cohesive solution”.
According to Dr Christopher Frei, Secretary General World Energy Council, ‘Among the world’s 20 fastest growing countries, eight are African. Energy is critical to such development, for energy to be able to play this enabling role we need robust and balanced energy policy and engaged entrepreneurship. The latest World Energy Trilemma report sets out, developing countries have unique opportunities to develop pathways towards growth’.
In response to the energy trilemma, the Gauteng Department of Infrastructure Development has launched The Green Agenda. ‘The Green Agenda lays a strong foundation for the wider greening of South Africa and is a showcase of government advocating for a sustainable future. This agenda will drive energy efficiency and the use of renewable and clean sources thus reducing the carbon footprint of government’, said MEC Mahlangu.
The Green Agenda will initially comprise three programmes, roof-top solar panel roll out, water and energy retrofit and the transition to natural gas in health care facilities.
Over 500 international delegates have attended Africa Energy Indaba. The indaba has hosted senior government representation including the MEC for Infrastructure Development, Ms Qedani Mahlangu and international experts including Marie-José Nadeau (Chair, World Energy Council), Kenneth Fairfax (Deputy Executive Director, International Energy Agency) and Mohinder Gulati (Chief Operating Officer, United Nations Sustainable Energy for All.
