An Evaluation of Potential Strategies in Renewable Energy Systems and Their Importance for South Africa—A Review

Busiswe Skosana, Mukwanga W. Siti (), Nsilulu T. Mbungu, Sonu Kumar and Willy Mulumba
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Busiswe Skosana: Department of Electrical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183, South Africa
Mukwanga W. Siti: Department of Electrical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183, South Africa
Nsilulu T. Mbungu: Department of Electrical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183, South Africa
Sonu Kumar: Department of Electrical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183, South Africa
Willy Mulumba: Department of Physics, School of Engineering, University Pedagogique National, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 22, 1-27

Abstract: The ageing of coal-fired power stations in South Africa has led to regular power outages. Therefore, the country will need to urgently increase its electricity capacity to meet further energy demand from growing urbanization and population growth. This challenge has increased interest in alternative energy sources, such as renewable energy (RE). South Africa is gradually implementing appropriate renewable energy practices, reducing carbon emissions, cleansing the air, and assuring a more sustainable future. This paper summarizes the availability, current state, and future potential of renewable energy choices in South Africa. This paper also evaluates specific policy measures and government actions aimed at eliminating barriers and increasing renewable energy deployment in the future. It also considers the South African network’s specialized techno-economic analysis. The findings show that South Africa is still heavily reliant on coal, with 78% of the current installed capacity coming from coal power in 2022, compared to 9.3% for solar and wind energy.

Keywords: renewable energy; renewable energy technologies; intelligent control; South Africa energy potential; techno-economic analysis (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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