Also refer to the “Renewable and alternative energy” page.
“If we don’t get energy right, we are not going to recover quickly from Covid-19 and we are not going to recover enough from the recent downgrades,” Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe (July 2020)
Energy is indispensable to the modern economy. Without it, all plans for growth and prospects for jobs come to nothing. An unreliable nature of electricity supply is one cause for lacklustre growth in any economy, and has seen nationwide alarm in 2019.
There are many applications in the agricultural value chain which require a constant, uninterrupted flow of electricity (under the next heading several of these are set out). A disruption of power at an operation like an abattoir is not only inconvenient but can lead to much suffering.
Not only the availability of power but the pricing is important. Year-on-year double digit price increases over the past years have squeezed margins and the threatened the competitiveness of the agricultural sector. Agriculture has called on government and ESKOM to change its mindset about energy.
Two positives from the energy challenge are the resulting integration with neighbouring states that arise out of energy corridors, and the attention that is being given to renewables. Increasing the supply from private co-generation would be an effective way to alleviate the constraints. The Independent Power Producer Programme attracted billions of rand investment, but the country’s progress with this option has been frustrating.
Contents
Energy-smart farming
As a farmer you are a businessman, someone who is just as concerned about keeping operational costs under control as you are about your fields, crops and cattle.
As a farmer, you also know that energy costs are rising and adding significantly to operating costs. Controlling these costs means becoming more aware of energy and the ways you can use electricity more effectively without compromising your farm’s productivity.
By making small changes to the way you use power, you can ensure that you get the best value for your “energy rand” and also play a part in reducing the demand for power – especially in peak periods when the possibility of load shedding is always present.
You can make a start on effective power saving by looking at your operation and assessing the equipment you use and the tasks you use it for.
Getting optimum performance from dryers
If you use dryers on your farm, remember that they can be shut down during the drying process, or can even be switched off completely. Alternatively, heating elements can be switched off and only the fans left running. Fans can be switched off for short periods without causing damage to produce such as grains, oil seeds and lucerne in the dryer. Only use the heating elements in the case of emergencies, for example during continuously rainy days and at night during the off-peak hours. When using heat, it is essential to recirculate the heated air to the inlet of the fan as this will save energy and costs.
When heating elements are used, it is advisable to insulate the ducting to minimise heat loss through the sides. It is vital that there should be no leaks in the ducting.
Irrigation
Making it less costly means that you should match the pipe and nozzle sizes. You should also remember that pipes with a small diameter operate at higher friction levels. More electricity is therefore needed to increase the rate of water delivery and overcome the friction.
The nozzle sizes of sprayers should be checked on a regular basis. If you reduce the wear and tear, you reduce water losses due to leaking pipes. Leaking pipes mean that pumps have to deliver more water and this increases the electricity consumption. By carrying out regular maintenance, you benefit from reduced power costs and water savings.
Using cellphone and computer technology could result in major savings. It’s a fact that if you use these methods to schedule irrigation, you can save up to 30% of the energy you generally use. Making sure that water is pumped to storage dams above irrigated areas means that you can use gravity flow, even when power is not available.
Electric motors
Electric motors consume vast amounts of power. The older your motors are, the higher the chances are that they use more electricity than they should. You can reduce your bills significantly by replacing these motors with new generation “high efficiency” electric motors (Eff 1). Make sure that the motors you install can run at 3/4 of their capacity to perform everyday jobs. Running at full load for long periods requires much more power.
Dairy parlours
Saving power in the dairy parlour means rinsing the milking machines with cold water directly after milking. A complete washing cycle should take place outside Eskom’s peak hours.
Ice bank cool tanks can be used to build the ice bank during off-peak hours to pre-cool and cool milk during Eskom’s peak hours.
Coldrooms
You save electricity by keeping the doors to cold rooms properly sealed. Opening doors only when required cuts down on cold air being “leaked” into neighbouring areas. You should always also remember that overfilled coldrooms actually have a lower cooling efficiency. Air does not flow as easily between and under produce in overfilled rooms. This means that it takes longer to cool down your produce and that more electricity is needed to reach the storage temperature.
Condensers should be well ventilated to deliver the best performance. For greatest effectiveness, compressor rooms and condensers should be installed on the southern side of a building, where they are not affected by direct sunlight. You should check filters and coils regularly and see that they are always clean, and also make sure that there is enough gas in the air conditioning plant. The proper use of air curtains will also reduce the loss of conditioned air.
Coldrooms are major users of electricity. If you take several simple steps, however, cold losses can be minimised and you will benefit from lower electricity costs.
Reducing the energy needs of animal housing
Reducing the cost of animal housing begins with the building itself. Proper roof insulation ensures a cool environment throughout the year and means that less money has to be spent on additional energy to regulate temperatures. Painting a roof silver will also reflect more heat off the structure.
When using natural ventilation for animal housing, buildings should not be wider than 12 metres for optimum utilisation of wind cooling.
If you are building animal housing, remember that the long walls of the building should face north and south and the short walls should face west and east. This will help to dispel the heat that builds up inside buildings during the day.
Increasing the energy efficiency of animal feed processing plants
Animal feed processing plants usually have large numbers of electric motors. By installing a capacitor bank you can generally improve the electrical efficiency of a plant. A plant can be managed so that cleaning and operations requiring low electricity can be done during peak hours, and scheduling the actual operations outside Eskom’s peak hours.
Insulation of greenhouses
When you build greenhouses, bear in mind that a double-insulated plastic cover retains more heat and warmth in greenhouses. Keeping air and soil temperatures constant through insulation means that less energy has to be used to create warmth in the greenhouse environment.
Broiler houses
Improving insulation and optimising ventilation systems in broiler houses are crucial for curbing energy costs, particularly in winter. Find the PDF document Keeping broiler houses tight saves money at www.eskom.co.za/sites/idm/Documents/agriculture%20poultry.pdf
Farming using alternative energy sources
As a farmer you can take steps to utilise the waste generated through normal farming operations to create energy. Harnessing the power of the sun can also save energy costs – over the years, these can add up to considerable savings and transform the way you do business.
Where considerable amounts of animal waste are present, you could investigate the possibility of using biogas installations to generate heat and electricity. These installations take the heat generated by animal waste and enable it to be piped into feedlots and piggeries for use as heating, or used for the production of cheap electricity.
Generating power
If you wish to generate emergency power for short periods, consider purchasing a standby generator. Running off petrol or diesel, these generators are custom-made for various outputs. You should consider the amount of energy you will need and seek advice from an expert when considering an installation. Keep in mind that generators should only be used in well-ventilated spaces (be careful of the carbon monoxide build-up!) and should be far enough away from buildings so that their noise does not disturb people or animals.
Energy from the sun, wind and water
There are a number of options available to utilise solar power. You should investigate which of the various options available would suit you best. Solar panels can be used to supply electricity for pumping, charging batteries for lights and any other low wattage use. However, they can be expensive, have a lifespan of approximately ten years and are vulnerable to hail and theft. They also need to be cleaned regularly as dust can reduce their efficiency.
Effective water heating can be provided through a network of black polythene and copper piping through which water is pumped. This can be installed on a roof and used to heat water for the house and/or swimming-pool.
Wind energy can be used to charge batteries that can supply power to low wattage equipment in households. Where water flows constantly from a high point, the water flow can be used to generate electricity.
Using dual fuel systems for efficiency
Dual fuel systems are generally used for heating air or water in a heating system. They are frequently used for drying and intensive animal-housing operations.
The working principle is based on using heating elements during Eskom’s off-peak hours and alternative fuel during Eskom’s peak hours. Alternative fuel options are coal, gas, diesel, oil, paraffin, wood, stalks or any other medium that is readily available in the area.
The bottom line for energy efficiency is that we all bear the responsibility of doing what we can to save power. As a farmer, you have a significant role to play. You will also benefit by making your operations more cost-effective and energy-efficient – saving money while you help our country.
Source: ESKOM
Role players
Associations, pressure groups & NGOs
- Agri Eastern Cape , Kwanalu and other farmer unions are necessarily in the frontline against fracking (see “Organised agriculture” page)
- Association of Municipal Electricity Utilities (AMEU) www.ameu.co.za
- Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) www.busa.org.za
- Energy Intensive User Group (EIUG) www.eiug.org.za
- Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG) www.emg.org.za
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of South Africa (LPGSA) www.lpgas.co.za
- National Business Initiative (NBI) www.nbi.org.za
- Nuclear Industry Association of South Africa (NIASA) www.niasa.co.za
- South Africa’s Independent Power Producers Association (SAIPPA) www.saippa.org.za
- South Africa National Energy Association (SANEA) www.sanea.org.za
- South African Association for Energy Economics (SAAEE) www.saaee.org.za
- South African Gas & Oil Alliance (SAOGA) www.saoga.org.za
- Southern African Gas Association (SAGAS) www.sagas.co.za
- Treasure the Karoo Action Group (TKAG) www.treasurethekaroo.co.za
- Women in Oil and Energy South Africa www.woesa.com
Education and research
- Africa Earth Observatory Network (AEON) www.aeon.org.za
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) (i) Faculty of Engineering Energy Institute www.cput.ac.za (ii) South African Renewable Energy Technology Centre www.saretec.co.za
- Coaltech Research Association https://coaltech.co.za
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) (a) Energy Research Centre www.csir.co.za (b) Energy Materials www.csir.co.za/energy-materials
- EWSETA – Energy and Water Sector & Training Authority https://ewseta.org.za
- Fossil Fuel Foundation www.fossilfuel.co.za
- North-West University (i) Centre for Applied Radiation Science and Technology (CARST) (Mafikeng Campus) www.nwu.ac.za (ii) Post-Graduate School of Nuclear Science and Engineering (Potchefstroom) https://engineering.nwu.ac.za/nuclear-engineering/post-graduate-diploma-nuclear-science-and-technologys
- Several South African universities and one research institution are involved with the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (better known as CERN) in the SA-CERN programme. See http://sa-cern.tlabs.ac.za.
- Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA) www.necsa.co.za
- Stellenbosch University (i) Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies (CRSES) www.crses.sun.ac.za (ii) Bureau for Economic Research (BER) www.ber.ac.za
- University of Cape Town (1) Energy Research Centre www.acdi.uct.ac.za/acdi/centres/energy-research-center (2) Hydrogen South Africa (HySA) / Catalysis www.hysacatalysis.uct.ac.za
- University of the Free State Institute for Groundwater Studies www.ufs.ac.za/igs [Professional opinion about fracking]
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Mechanical Engineering Group for Solar Energy Thermodynamics (GSET) www.ukzn.ac.za
- University of KwaZulu-Natal Energy, Food and Water Engineering Research Group http://efwe.ukzn.ac.za
- University of the Western Cape South African Institute for Advanced Materials Chemistry PetroSA Synthetic Fuels Innovation Centre www.uwc.ac.za
- University of the Witwatersrand, African Energy Leadership Centre Wits Business School, www.wbs.ac.za/centres–chairs/african-energy-leadership-centre-aelc
- Water Research Commission www.wrc.org.za Research on geothermal energy
Some companies
- ABB South Africa http://new.abb.com/africa
- Babcock www.babcock.co.za Power generation solutions
- EE Business Intelligence www.eebi.co.za
- Electro Mechanica www.em.co.za Electronic automation products
- Endress+Hauser www.za.endress.com/en instrumentation to comply with global and legal requirements
- Green Power www.green-power.co.za “Save money and power”
- Maiden Electronics www.maidenelectronics.co.za “Power solutions for Africa”
- MBB Consulting Engineers www.mbb.co.za Energy is an area of expertise
- PetroSA www.petrosa.co.za The refinery at Mossel Bay uses gas-to-liquids (GTL) technology
- Power Star www.power-star.co.za
- Prepaid Metres www.PrePaidMeters.co.za
- Renergen www.renergen.co.za
- SASOL www.sasol.com South Africa has a sophisticated synthetic fuels industry, producing fuel from coal
- Sonfin http://sonfin.co.za Helps farmers establish independent sources of power
- Ubuntu Energy Solutions www.ubuntupower.org “Powering Africa’s Potential”
- VOLTEX www.voltex.co.za “Your electrical connection” – branches across the country.
Regulatory and government
Relevant documents are the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019), National Development Plan (NDP) and the Energy White Paper.
The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP2019) proposes nine interventions that respond to the country’s energy needs for the next decade. Read it at www.energy.gov.za.
- Central Energy Fund – CEF Group of Companies www.cefgroup.co.za
- Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) www.energy.gov.za The website provides overviews of the country’s energy strategy and energy sources (petroleum, natural gas, coal, renewable fuels, nuclear), legislation and programmes. Read about the Integrated Energy Plan and Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) on the website.
- Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) www.dpe.gov.za Eskom is one of the enterprises for which the DPE is responsible
- Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) www.thedti.gov.za Supports industry in changing energy use patters to be more efficient and sustainable.
- Eskom www.eskom.co.za The website provides contact details for Eskom power stations and visitor centres. Eskom has an Energy Advisory Service for farmers to help you cut costs. Services offered include: total energy analysis to identify areas of waste; recommendations on process and technology improvements; assessment studies to determine current and future energy needs; advice on the most appropriate energy source; and tariff information on the most efficient and cost-effective electro-technologies. Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) Office was established in 2021 “to progress the evolution for transition towards a cleaner and greener energy future”. Visit www.eskom.co.za.
- Independent Power Producers Office www.ipp-projects.co.za
- The National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC) is a dtic programme to “contribute to building the manufacturing industry’s competitive capability in pursuit of a low carbon economy in South Africa”. See www.industrialefficiency.co.za
- National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) www.nersa.org.za
- South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) www.sanedi.org.za Sanedi runs state-backed programmes like SAGEN (South African-German Energy Programme) and Working for Energy.
International business environment
The seventh of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”. See https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg7. The Energy Progress Report can be read at https://trackingsdg7.esmap.org.
Some international role players
- www.afdb.org – the African Development Bank (AFDB) has approved the funding of numerous projects in South Africa.
- African Energy Commission – https://au-afrec.org/en
- Africa Energy Indaba www.africaenergyindaba.com
- Find the latest World Energy Outlook report at www.eia.gov, website of the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
- Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) www.epri.com
- Energy Watch Group – www.energywatchgroup.org
- European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) – www.enen.eu
- International Atomic Energy Agency – www.iaea.org
- International Energy Agency – www.iea.org
- International Institute for Energy Conservation (IIEC) – www.iiec.org
- New Development Bank (the BRICS initiative) invests in energy www.ndb.int
- World Energy Council – www.worldenergy.org
- World Nuclear Association – http://world-nuclear.org
Some role players in the provision of electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa:
- Botswana Power Cooperation (BPC) – www.bpc.bw
- Copperbelt Energy Corporation and Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation (ZESCO) – www.zesco.co.zm
- Empresa Nacional de Electricidade (Angola) www.minea.gv.ao/index.php/ende
- Electricidade de Mozambique – www.edm.co.mz
- Electricity Company of Ghana – www.ecgonline.info
- Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) – www.escom.mw
- Eswatini Electricity Company – www.eec.co.sz
- Eskom (South Africa) – www.eskom.co.za
- Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation
- Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) – www.kengen.co.ke
- Kenya Power – www.kplc.co.ke
- NamPower (Namibia) – www.nampower.com.na
- Societe National d’Electricite (Democratic Republic of Congo) – www.snel.cd
- Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited – www.tanesco.co.tz
- Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA) is one of the companies supplying electricity. See the government department Ministry of Energy and Power Development website at www.energy.gov.zw.
Read about energy supply in the SADC region at www.sadc.int (take the “Themes” and “Infrastructure” options).
Websites and publications
Visit the websites listed earlier on this page.
- Find the energy articles at www.weforum.org/platforms/shaping-the-future-of-energy/articles
- www.esi-africa.com – the “online power journal of Africa”
- Find “The essential guide”, Environmental Commodities: What Are They & How Can You Trade Them? (updated 2021, March) at https://commodity.com/environmental/.
- Subscribe to the weekly Energy Insight eNewsletter from www.engineeringnews.co.za.
- Find the articles in the Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, https://journals.assaf.org.za/jesa
- Saving Electricity in a Hurry is designed to help the country deal with its electricity issues. The publication, commissioned by the International Energy Agency (IEA), is a brief case study which highlights lessons from recent electricity shortfalls in Chile, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. Find it at www.iea.org.
- Find the chapter on energy in the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) Yearbook at www.gcis.gov.za.
- Find documents on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment website, www.dffe.gov.za, like the Sustainability of Decentralised Renewable Energy Systems report and Facilitation of large-scale uptake of alternative transport fuels in South Africa – the case for Biogas.
- The “Energy technologies” option at www.eskom.co.za (take the “about Eskom” and “about energy” options) provides overviews of biomass power, coal power, conventional hydro power, nuclear power, pumped storage, solar power, wave power and wind power.
- www.greenpeace.org/africa/en, NGO Greenpeace Africa has launched several anti-nuclear reports
- Energy and Capital – www.energyandcapital.com – “Practical Investment Analysis in the New Energy Economy”
- Energy Central, thinkers on energy and climate, https://energycentral.com/c/ecn
- Find the energy menu option on www.africa-adapt.net (click on “explore themes”)
- Watch the movies Gasland and Gasland Part II which explore the potential long-term environmental impact of hydraulic fracturing, including poisonous water and earthquakes.
- Hauter, W. 2015. Frackopoly: The Battle for the Future of Energy and the Environment. New York: The New Press.
Some articles
- Labuschagne H. 2022, April 25. “Total Eskom blackout danger — insurance companies calculating the costs”. MyBroadBand. Available at https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/442212-total-eskom-blackout-danger-insurance-companies-calculating-the-costs.html
- Winkler H. 2022, February 18. “South Africa’s efforts to tackle its energy crisis lack urgency and coherence”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/south-africas-efforts-to-tackle-its-energy-crisis-lack-urgency-and-coherence-176993
- Müller F. 2021, November 17. “South Africa’s energy transition package: still in green and brown camouflage”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/south-africas-energy-transition-package-still-in-green-and-brown-camouflage-171863
- Kruger W. 2021, November 10. “Myths and truths around South Africa’s recent renewable energy auction”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/myths-and-truths-around-south-africas-recent-renewable-energy-auction-171329
- Eberhard A. 2021, September 17. “South Africa’s troubled power utility is being reset: CEO sets out how”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/south-africas-troubled-power-utility-is-being-reset-ceo-sets-out-how-168097
- Michelon G., Leuz C. & Bonetti P. 2021, August 27. “Fracking and poorer surface water quality link established – new research”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/fracking-and-poorer-surface-water-quality-link-established-new-research-166692
- Brandt K. 2021, June 10. “Positive reaction to government’s latest move on independent power”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2021/06/10/positive-reaction-to-government-s-latest-move-on-independent-power
- Eye Witness News. 2021, June 10. “FULL SPEECH: President Ramaphosa announces plan to tackle SA’s energy security”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2021/06/10/full-speech-president-ramaphosa-announces-plan-to-tackle-sa-s-energy-security
- Reporter. 2021, May 5. “Powering the economy through alternative energy”. SA News. Available at www.sanews.gov.za/features-south-africa/powering-economy-through-alternative-energy
- ANA Reporter. 2021, March 22. “Resolving energy challenges ’fundamental’ for economic recovery, says Ramaphosa”. Business Report. Available at www.iol.co.za/business-report/energy/resolving-energy-challenges-fundamental-for-economic-recovery-says-ramaphosa-f745c6ed-cbb4-54d6-81b1-4f6bba792de8
- White R. 2021, March 18. “Mantashe announces 8 bidders given green light to produce independent power”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2021/03/18/mantashe-announces-8-bidders-given-green-light-to-produce-independent-power
- Creamer T. 2021, March 11. “New report highlights decade of falling electricity production in South Africa”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/new-report-highlights-decade-of-falling-electricity-production-in-south-africa-2021-03-11/rep_id:4136
- Davis G. 2021, February 19. “SA ready to make hydrogen fuel cells as alternative energy source – Ramaphosa”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2021/02/19/sa-ready-to-manufacture-hydrogen-fuel-cells-as-alternative-energy-source-ramaphosa
- Brandt K. 2020, September 11. “Nersa approval allows govt to buy energy from sources other than Eskom”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2020/09/11/nersa-approval-allows-govt-to-buy-energy-from-sources-other-than-eskom
- Bulbulia T. 2020, May 26. “SANEDI says clean energy could boost country’s Covid-19 economic stimulus plan”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sanedi-says-clean-energy-could-boost-countrys-covid-19-economic-stimulus-plan-2020-05-26
- Winkler H. 2020, May 25. “The case for turning South Africa’s coal fields into a renewable energy hub”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/the-case-for-turning-south-africas-coal-fields-into-a-renewable-energy-hub-138315
- Creamer T. 2020, April 30. “Renewables to be only energy growth source in 2020 as markets experience ‘biggest shock since Second World War’”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/renewables-to-be-only-energy-growth-source-in-2020-as-markets-experience-biggest-shock-since-second-world-war-2020-04-30
- Creamer T. 2020, April 6. “Governments urged to integrate clean energy into Covid-19 stimulus packages”. Enginering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/governments-urged-to-integrate-clean-energy-into-covid-19-stimulus-packages-2020-04-06
- Jansen C. 2020, February 6. “South Africa’s power cuts: “A lot of people are losing a lot of sleep””. Fresh Plaza. Available at www.freshplaza.com/article/9187610/south-africa-s-power-cuts-a-lot-of-people-are-losing-a-lot-of-sleep/
- Creamer T. 2020, January 22. “‘Significantly enhanced’ shareholder scrutiny to be expected, Eskom’s De Ruyter says”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/significantly-enhanced-shareholder-scrutiny-to-be-expected-eskoms-de-ruyter-says-2020-01-22
- Muller S. & Muller M. 2020, January 22. “South Africa’s energy crisis has triggered lots of ideas: why most are wrong”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/south-africas-energy-crisis-has-triggered-lots-of-ideas-why-most-are-wrong-130298
- Reuters. 2020, January 20. “Power cuts cost South Africa up to $8.3bn in 2019, research shows”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2020/01/22/power-cuts-cost-south-africa-up-to-usd8-3bn-in-2019-research-shows
- Jansen C. 2019, December 16. “South Africa’s power cuts: diesel drives up refrigeration costs by 300%”. Fresh Plaza. Available at www.freshplaza.com/article/9173330/south-africa-s-power-cuts-diesel-drives-up-refrigeration-costs-by-300/
- Ndenze B. 2019, December 3. “Eskom pleads with Salga, municipalities to pay R20bn debt”. Eye Witness News. Available at https://ewn.co.za/2019/12/03/eskom-pleads-with-salga-municipalities-to-pay-over-r20bn-debt
- Inglesi-Lotz R. & Thopil G. 2019, November 9. “The transition from fossils to renewables and its impact on consumer prices”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/the-transition-from-fossils-to-renewables-and-its-impact-on-consumer-prices-125242
- Find the blog “Agriculture has the solution to load shedding within a year”.
- Paton C. 2019, October 13. “Red-tape and costs bar businesses and farmers from small-scale power generation”. Business Day. Available at www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2019-10-13-red-tape-and-costs-bar-businesses-and-farmers-from-small-scale-power-generation/
- Muller S. 2019, March 28. “Why restructuring South Africa’s power utility won’t end the blackouts”. The Conversation. Available at https://theconversation.com/why-restructuring-south-africas-power-utility-wont-end-the-blackouts-114333
- Bulbulia T. 2016, March 26. “Women encouraged to pursue opportunities in Africa’s energy sector”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/women-encouraged-to-pursue-opportunities-in-africas-energy-sector-2019-03-26
- Milman O. 2019, March 25. “‘Coal is on the way out’: study finds fossil fuel now pricier than solar or wind”. The Guardian. Available at www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/mar/25/coal-more-expensive-wind-solar-us-energy-study
- ANA Reporter. 2019, March 25. “Eskom rolling powercuts hurting small businesses”. Business Report. Available at www.iol.co.za/business-report/economy/eskom-rolling-powercuts-hurting-small-businesses-20071333
- Reporter. 2019, February 24. “Renewable energy programme attracts R209.4 billion to SA economy”. SA News. Available at www.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/renewable-energy-programme-attracts-r2094-billion-sa-economy
- Bulbulia T. 2019, February 22. “SAWEA says renewables sector has proven its capacity to contribute to South Africa’s development”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/sawea-says-renewables-sector-has-proven-its-capacity-to-contribute-to-south-africas-development-2019-02-22/rep_id:4136
- Bischof-Niemz T. 2019, February 12. “Opinion: Are there really more jobs in coal than in Renewables?” Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/opinion-are-there-really-more-jobs-in-coal-than-in-renewables-2019-02-12/rep_id:4136
- Kruger C. 2018, December 6. “Maak julself los van Eskom” [become independent from Eskom]. Landbouweekblad. Available at www.netwerk24.com/landbou/Nuus/maak-julself-los-van-eskom-20181206
- Creamer T. 2018, October 15. “South Africa’s synfuels know-how could give it edge as world mulls power fuels”. Engineering News. Available at www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/south-africas-synfuels-know-how-could-give-it-edge-as-world-mulls-power-fuels-2018-10-15
- Sihlobo W. 2018, October 9. “Conversations about Renewable Energy in South Africa”. Available at https://wandilesihlobo.com/2018/10/09/conversations-about-renewable-energy-in-south-africaseebelow/
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