The factors that influence the implementation of clean energy interventions in low-income urban communities in South Africa

Abstract

During the fifties it was not unusual to measure economic growth of a country through the presentation of statistics around its energy consumption. The higher the consumption, the higher the economic growth. However, the unprecedented economic growth experienced in the global village during the 21st Century, is steering the ship in the direction of a disaster, measured from a sustainable energy supply point of view, the massive damage to the environment as a result of the high use of dominating fossil fuels and a lack of the implementation of clean energy strategies. Apartheid, to a large extent, contributed to unacceptable socio-economic conditions in low-income urban communities. The Reconstruction and Development Programme of government from 1994 attempted, inter alia, to mitigate the housing demand for the disadvantaged citizens. However, over the years, poor quality in construction of these houses and other factors impacted negatively on the living conditions of the homeowners. Government realised that it had to change this situation and policy programmes with action plans focussed, inter alia, on the roll-out of solar water heaters (SWH), insulation of ceilings and repairs to the dilapidated houses. This study aims to identify the key factors that influence the successful implementation of clean energy interventions in low-income urban communities in South Africa. The research showed that it is indeed possible to implement such projects successfully, if the key factors are acknowledged, as demonstrated in this study.Copyright