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Tensions in the transition: The politics of electricity distribution in South Africa

Baker, Lucy; Phillips, Jon

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Authors

Lucy Baker



Abstract

This paper argues that the distribution of electricity represents an important yet neglected aspect of the politics of energy transitions. In recent years, South Africa’s electricity sector has seen the introduction of new actors and technologies, including the ‘prosumer’ (producer–consumer) of electricity and small-scale embedded generation from roof-top solar photovoltaics. We analyse these recent developments in historical context and consider implications for contemporary planning, regulation and ownership of electricity. We find that the reconfiguration of electricity distribution faces significant political and economic challenges that are rooted in the country’s socio-economic and racial inequalities and its heavy dependence on coal-fired power. First small-scale embedded generation offers potential opportunities for affordable, decentralised, low-carbon energy, yet disruption to the coal-powered electric grid and the monopoly of South Africa’s electricity utility has been minimal to date. Second, small-scale embedded generation creates tensions between equitable and low-carbon energy transitions and threatens critical revenue from the country’s wealthy consumers that cross-subsidises electricity services for the poor and other municipal public services. Third, the South African experience queries common assumptions about the democratic potential of decentralised governance. Fourth, South Africa provides insights of global significance into how political institutions have responded to social and technological drivers of change, in a context where planning and regulation have followed rather than led infrastructural developments. While energy policy remains unresponsive or resistant to social and technological change, there remain significant political, economic, technical and regulatory challenges to a just and inclusive energy transition.

Citation

Baker, L., & Phillips, J. (2019). Tensions in the transition: The politics of electricity distribution in South Africa. Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space, 37(1), 177-196. https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654418778590

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jun 1, 2018
Publication Date Jan 1, 2019
Deposit Date Jan 17, 2022
Publicly Available Date Jan 17, 2022
Journal Environment and Planning C: Politics and Space
Print ISSN 2399-6544
Electronic ISSN 2399-6552
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 37
Issue 1
Pages 177-196
DOI https://doi.org/10.1177/2399654418778590
Keywords Distributed generation, electricity, small-scale embedded generation, solar photovoltaics, South Africa
Publisher URL https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2399654418778590

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