The switch?
technology prices have reduced by over 60%, according to global studies. This forces South Africa to rethink its game plan as it continues to solidify its position as a global player with more competitors providing cheaper alternative energy sources.
Tau added: “It means engaging property owners, both commercial and households, about generating their own energy. At some point someone was calling it a virtual energy system, like a virtual power station. These opportunities are quite exciting for all of us.”
The question of the environmental impact strongly comes into focus as the world transitions to newer technologies, and the need to sustain environmentally friendly conditions continues to challenge stakeholders and government.
Urban creep
Other challenges that pose a threat to the energy sector include keeping up with service delivery demands as more people migrate into cities. This has resulted in an increase of informal settlements and places a strain on the current infrastructure. This results in local government struggling to deliver services effectively and inevitably being under resourced.
Preserving natural resources amid this crisis was also on the agenda, to ensure future generations are secured.
In “Defining the Energy Future of Local Government”, key outcomes from the sessions included: The need to facilitate collaborative leadership among all stakeholders, provide an enabling environment with efficient operation models and explore new opportunities which arise out of the challenges that currently exist as well as through the transition is pivotal.
Customer-centricity was also a key component which emerged, focusing on adequate services for the poor.
The proposed enabling environment consists of constitutional and legislative clarity with redesigned policy framework, increases in funding as well re- examining the structure of the industry.
The summit aimed to reaffirm Salga’s commitment to a more efficient climate action plan on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals, in line with the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the National Development Plan.
Tau said that the outcomes of the summit will be reported to the Salga national executive committee: “We need to relay and incor- porate the performance plans of our senior managers and the working groups of our organisation. We have agreed with the minister of Cogta (Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs) that we will be presenting the outcomes of this summit to him so that through him we are able to engage with the rest of government on issues of policy legislation, regulations and systems that require review, so that this is not just a talkshow.
Green energy
“This is our experience, this is what needs to change and this is what all the experts are saying is in the best interest of the South African consumer. Ultimately, with access to energy — reliable, cheap and greener energy — this is what is in the interest of our local authorities.
“Let us work together to ensure this happens. I’m quite excited by the fact that the minister said he is keen that we come out of this with action plans that he can take to government.”
The success of Salga summit will be measured in the coming months, as an action plan is developed and implemented. The summit was inspired by the spirit of Hugh Masekela’s Thuma Mina, as a sustainable energy future for all is created maintained. The one certainty is that things are bound to change. This needs to be reflected in all levels as government delivers on its promise of a better life for all.