The scaling up of renewable energy consumption in South Africa; challenges and opportunities

Abstract

South Africa has experienced the worst-case scenario of load-shedding over the past few months. Energy security and sustainability are paramount to increasing economic growth and prosperity. This study explains how and why the scale-up of renewable energy can significantly help ease the problem of load-shedding while simultaneously supporting growth prospects. The divergences in extant literature are indicated in studies debating the potential of renewable energy as an alternative energy source to ease pressure on the national grid and close the divergence between electricity demand and supply. The literature demonstrates that applying a circular economic model in South Africa and explicating the scale-up of renewable energy processes and energy transition must be explored. The study employed a qualitative method to examine the phenomenon. The field dataset was collected from 13 participants through Microsoft teams. The participants were purposively selected because of their experience in the energy sector. The dataset generated from the interview of the study participants was transcribed and uploaded into Atlas ti software, where a thematic analysis was performed. The results confirm a viable potential for using renewable energy to alleviate the pressure of energy demand in South Africa; however, the study uncovered vital challenges, such as skills shortages, investment capabilities and models, infrastructure, incoherent government policies, resistance to change, and a lack of stakeholder engagement. This research contributes significantly to the existing research. It provides key stakeholders, government, and private sectors with empirical evidence on the challenges and opportunities to scale-up renewable energy. The recommendations include evaluating the developed model to validate the constructs by future scholars. This study had implications for the scholarly community and managerial implications.