South Africa: White Paper on Renewable Energy

Formerly known as the White Paper on the Promotion of Renewable Energy and Clean Energy Development, this paper aims at informing the public and the international community of the Government’s goals and objectives for the optimal use of renewable energy. Recognizing the importance of reducing the damage done to the environment by South Africa’s reliance on electricity from coal and the need for diversification fo energy resources, it commits the Government to a number of actions to ensure that renewable energy becomes a significant part of South Africa’s energy portfolio over the next ten years. These measures include fiscal mechanisms, regulatory instruments, and standards to promote R&D and investment in renewables and educational programs to raise public awareness.

Date Implemented: 2003

Status: In Force; Government Initiative

Targets: The government aims to integrate renewable energy technologies into the mainstream energy economy. To achieve this aim it is setting as its target 10 000 GWh (0.8 Mtoe) renewable energy contribution to final energy consumption by 2013.

References: National Communication to the UNFCCC, 2000; IEA, http://www.iea.org/textbase/pamsdb/detail.aspx?mode=jr&id=1450; DME’s White Paper on Renewable Energy (2003)

http://www.info.gov.za/whitepapers/2002/rewp220802.pdf