How can we provide adequate and affordable energy for all, and also move to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly pattern of energy use?

A democratic South Africa will need to address the historical inequalities in access to adequate and affordable energy. There will be a greater demand for electricity, and its supply will reduce township air pollution problems. Currently, most of our electricity comes from coal-fired stations. Air pollution and acid rain, which originate from these power stations, can be reduced with the fitting of scrubbers which remove oxides of sulphur and nitrogen from the gases emitted when coal is burnt. This could result in electricity being a quarter to a third more expensive, but this cost has to be weighed against the benefit to the environment.

HYDRO-POWER

Long-term planning must recognise that coal stocks are finite and that sooner or later we shall have to rely on another source of energy. A possible medium-term alternative is to harness the huge hydro-electric potential of the sub-Saharan Africa region, estimated at more than twice Eskom's current generating capacity. For example, the Zaire river alone is capable of providing in excess of 70 000 MW (megawatts) of hydroelectricity. There are many other rivers in Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola and Mozambique suitable for hydroelectricity.

Hydro-electricity is renewable and does not pollute. It must be considered as a viable future strategy as post-apartheid South Africa begins to fulfil its potential as a force for development in the sub-continent. Large-scale hydro-electric schemes are, however, expensive and require the construction of large dams which also have environmental costs. In addition, this option requires regional cooperation and political stability.

SOLAR ENERGY

Solar energy can be used to produce heat. In Israel more than two-thirds of houses are fitted with solar water heaters. South Africa experiences more sunshine than most places and there is much potential for widespread use of solar water heaters, particularly in mass, low-income housing projects.

However, the initial outlay for solar energy is often very expensive as large areas of solar panels are needed to collect useful amounts of energy. Solar energy is practicable in areas remote from the electricity grid, such as farms, rural clinics, and water pumping stations. In these cases photovoltaic cells are ideal for energy production as they can be used to produce electricity directly from sunlight.

ENERGY CONSERVATION

South Africa uses more energy per unit of economic output (GDP or gross domestic product) than many other countries. There is much potential for energy saving. European countries and Japan have shown in recent years that production can be increased while using less energy through using more energy-efficient manufacturing processes. Energy savings are possible in buildings through the use of passive solar design principles and more efficient lighting and insulation (see NEC pamphlet "Solar Building"). Industry is able to save energy through cogeneration, advanced heat recovery systems and better control of energy usage. (Cogeneration is a process which produces both electricity and heat at the same time, while advanced heat recovery systems economise on and use the heat generated in industrial and chemical processes). Recycling waste materials can also save energy, for example aluminium produced from scrap uses 95% less energy than when it is manufactured from ore. New motor vehicles are also becoming more fuel-efficient.

THE FUTURE

Planners foresee the continued use of nuclear energy in South Africa, even though this is a costly option which also has unresolved environmental problems such as the disposal and storage of waste products. In addition the link between nuclear energy and nuclear weapon production makes it a problematic option. Hydro-electricity is a viable and sustainable alternative to polluting coal-fired power stations, although construction of dams has environmental and social costs.

Planning in towns and cities will have to encourage the use of efficient public transport systems rather than private motor vehicles. In the long term we shall also have to find alterative fuels for transport. Hydrogen offers a clean alternative and as one of the elements in water it is plentiful. But it still requires energy to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water. Nuclear fusion (the combination of hydrogen atoms to form helium, i.e. the reaction which powers the sun) may also be a future option but scientists do not foresee major progress in this area for many years to come.

FURTHER READING

SOUTH AFRICAN ENVIRONMENTS INTO THE 21ST CENTURY. B. Huntley, R. Siegfried and C. Sunter. Human, Rousseau & Tafelberg, Cape Town, 1989.

BACK TO EARTH. J. Clarke. Southern Books, Johannesburg, 1991.

ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION AND ITS IMPLICATIONS IN THE EASTERN TRANSVAAL HIGHVELD. P. D. Tyson et al. SA National Scientific Programmes Report No 150, CSIR. 1988.

RENEWABLE ENERGY RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTHERN AFRICA. A.A.Eberhard and A.T. Williams. Elan Press, Cape Town, 1988. Available from the Energy Research Institute, address below.

GOING GREEN: PEOPLE, POLITICS AND THE ENVIRONMENT IN SOUTH AFRICA. J. Cock and E. Koch (eds). Oxford University Press, Cape Town, 1991.

Pamphlets available from National Energy Council, Solar Energy Society or Energy Research Institute, addresses below. Topics include: Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Solar Building, Bio-energy, Photovoltaics

Enviro Facts: Acid rain, Global warming, Deforestation, Energy and environment.

CONTACT ORGANISATIONS 

Solar Energy Society of Southern Africa. P O Box 10300, Rivonia, 2128. Tel. 011-803 8684

Dept. Mineral and Energy Affairs. Private Bag X59, Pretoria, 0001. Tel. 012-317 9000.

Group for Environmental Monitoring. PO Box 511, Newtown, 2113. Tel. 011-838 5449

Atomic Energy Corporation. P O Box 582, Pretoria, 0001. Tel. 012-316 3270

Chemical Workers Industrial Union. P O Box 3219, Johannesburg, 2000. Tel. 011-331 6861

CSIR: ENERTEK. PO Box 395, Pretoria, 0001. Tel. 012-841 4946.

Energy Research Institute. UCT, Private Bag, Rondebosch, 7700. Tel. 021-650 3230