South Africa Can Go 100% Renewable, New Report Shows How

May 27th, 2011 by Zachary Shahan

South Africa gets a fair share of sun, from what I’ve heard. Also, with good wind resources to boot and technology that is clearly ready to scale, a new report released by Greenpeace South Africa shows how exactly the country can go 100% renewable. The Energy [R]evolution report “is a detailed and practical blueprint for cutting carbon emissions, replacing fossil fuels and nuclear power with renewable energy, and growing the economy,” Greenpeace announced this week. “It is one of the most comprehensive plans to resolve the country’s need for energy security and a sustainable energy future, ever.”

By switching over to renewables and investing in energy efficiency, South Africa would also create 150,000 new jobs in the coming 20 years. As I’ve repeated on here many, many, many times, renewable energy is not waiting for another breakthrough or two to be ready for large-scale deployment, and certainly not in a place like South Africa. It is ready to be deployed on a massive scale now. Energy [R]evolution shows, in detail, how.

Experts at the Institute of Technical Thermodynamics at the German Aerospace Centre (DLR), the Dutch Institute Ecofys, the Institute for Sustainable Futures (Sydney), and the European Renewable Energy Council also worked on the report with Greenpeace.

Here’s more from the world-leading green organization on what an Energy [R[evolution is:

The plan put forth “offers South Africa independence from a fluctuating and volatile global market, cuts national debt, creates jobs, safeguards scarce natural resources like water, and will protect the environment for future generations.” What more can you ask for.

Again, check out much more over on Greenpeace.

Related Stories on CleanTechnica:

Photo via coda









Appreciate CleanTechnica’s originality? Consider becoming a CleanTechnica member, supporter, or ambassador — or a patron on Patreon.

Sign up for our free daily newsletter or weekly newsletter to never miss a story.

Have a tip for CleanTechnica, want to advertise, or want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.

Latest Cleantech Talk Episode