Towards an ecologically sustainable electricity mix in South Africa: Evaluating the policy implications of renewable and nuclear energy

Chinazaekpere Nwani and Philip Chimobi Omoke

Utilities Policy, 2025, vol. 96, issue C

Abstract: Achieving a balance between meeting rising electricity demands and minimizing ecological impact is essential for advancing sustainability goals. Using dynamic and Kernel-based simulation techniques, we evaluate the effects of renewable and nuclear energy on ecological load capacity factor (EL) in South Africa from 1985 to 2022. The findings reveal that fossil-fuel-based electricity generation negatively impacts EL, while a transition to low-carbon energy, particularly renewables, offers significant ecological benefits. In contrast, nuclear energy shows minimal and statistically insignificant benefits. These findings call for targeted incentives to boost investments in renewable infrastructure and strategies for managing nuclear safety and waste.

Keywords: Utilities; Electricity; Renewable energy; Nuclear energy; Ecological sustainability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:juipol:v:96:y:2025:i:c:s0957178725000876

DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2025.101972

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