The potential of small hydropower plants in South Africa

Abstract

Hydropower Renewable energy is the proverbial Cinderella of the energy sector. Over­ shadowed by coal and other fossil fuels, the possibilities of ‘cleaner’ energies have stepped into the limelight as alternatives to meet rapidly growing demands for power. Locally, South Africa’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and govern­ ment’s approval of the White Paper on Renewable energy in November 2003 pushed renewable energy to the forefront. In the latter, a commit­ ment was made to generate 10 000 GWh of power from renewable sources such as biomass, wind, solar, radiation and small­scale hydro­ power (SSHP) by 2013. Furthermore, South Africa’s Integrated Resource Plan for the period 2010 to 2030 calls for the deployment of 17 800 MW of energy from renewable sources. For some, SSHP specifically holds certain promise even though its contribution to the mentioned White Paper’s target is estimated to amount to only 10%.

Authors

Categories