Sustainable energy : a framework for new and renewable energy in Southern Africa

Abstract

This publication presents a framework for creating a competitive and gender-sensitive environment in the new and renewable energy sector in Southern Africa. The sub-regional framework is a set of recommendations on how member States should align their policies in the sector, collectively develop and nurture skills in renewable energy, pool resources for development of appropriate renewable energy technologies and facilitate trade in these technologies. The ultimate objective is to increase access to affordable energy services by a majority of citizens in Southern Africa in order to promote sustainable development. The publication addresses the constraints to renewable energy development in the subregion including, inadequate policies, legal, regulatory and institutional frameworks and limited financial flow for the development and provision of sustainable energy. The focus of the framework is the creation, by member States, of an environment where the private sector can actively participate in the development of appropriate renewable energy technologies and to facilitate the supply of these technologies to communities at affordable prices. The framework emphasizes the importance of energy as a factor of production for purposes of economic empowerment and diversification of economic activities in rural areas. The policy framework is underpinned by the important relationship between access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy and social and economic upliftment.