A critical analysis of the role of stakeholder engagement in establishing the renewable energy sector in South Africa

Abstract

Stakeholder engagement-dialogue is proposed as a method of responding to the sustainable energy challenges facing South Africa. Establishing the renewable energy sector requires constructive engagement including consumers, energy suppliers, regulators and government. The purpose of this research is an attempt to gain a deeper understanding of the stakeholder engagement process - specifically dialogue - being used by government to establish the renewable energy sector. It evaluates the effectiveness of the current dialogue and the role this dialogue can play in establishing the renewable energy sector. Initially, the study analyses the dialogue contained in fifty public domain internet articles on renewable energy. This data is validated by face-to-face interviews with nine stakeholders. The analysis focuses on comparing the dialogue against an acceptable dialogue framework. Evidence from both sets of data suggests that the dialogue, although inclusive and open, lacks tolerance, empowerment and transparency. The study further found that effective dialogue should contain clarity, policies and trust. Moreover, findings from the research indicate that stakeholder dialogue can play a vital role in establishing the renewable energy sector but this dialogue needs to be with relevant stakeholders. This research adds to the existing literature in dialogue in that it proposes three additional dimensions for effective dialogue. Copyright