Energising South African Cities & Towns - City Energy Support Unit

PHOTOGRAPH: JEREMY JOWELL© THE MULTICHOICE VUKA! AWARDSfinancing and legislative framework,and promotes local manufacture ofrenewable technologies.The Electricity Distribution Industry(EDI) Restructuring Bill isbefore cabinet and seeks to transformthe current fragmented EDIstructure into a series of RegionalElectricity Distributors (REDs). TheNIRP (National Integrated ResourcePlan) is prepared by the NationalElectricity Regulator (NER), based onEskom’s Integrated Electricity Plan.Energy also featured as a priorityat the 51st national conference ofthe ANC in December 2002. At theconference they resolved:• that the process of rationalisingelectricity distribution shouldcontinue, ensuring viable andaffordable electricity supply forall regions and the progressiveachievement of universal andaffordable access, on the foundationof a minimum freebasic electricity service to allhouseholds.• that all proposals for restructuringenergy generation and distributionshould be analysed objectivelyto assess likely impact onemployment, the cost of investmentin new capacity, electricityfor households and formal business,and the environment,• to support the introductionof cleaner technologies forburning coal as well as alternativeenergy sources,• that research into renewableenergy technologies must beconducted, and it must includepotential for local ownership andcommunity participation,Above: Devastating shack fires are regular occurrences in coastal cities where people rely on paraffin forcooking and where wind velocities are high.• to take concrete steps to combatpollution arising out of coalvalue chain activities by settingclean targets in the context ofsustainable development withoutincreasing cost to the poor,• to support the principle thatdecisions on nuclear energy mustbe based on a comprehensiveand transparent environmentimpact assessment,• to ensure safety measures inenergy generation, manufactureand usage, especially of paraffin.CITY OF TSHWANE’S8-POINT VISION1. economic growth and developmentLOCAL POLICYIMPERATIVESFrom international to local imperativesit is quite clear that povertyand sustainability are priority issuesfor any South African city, and thatevery city has a lot to gain from a sustainableenergy development path.Each city has strategic goals ora vision. Energy will usually playa pivotal role in ensuring that thosegoals are met. It is important that acity’s energy objectives reflect andfulfil a city’s strategic objectives.2. democratic, responsible and equitable governance, providing efficient andeffective delivery3. integrated and compact city4. poverty alleviation by making essential services and facilities accessible5. safe and secure environment6. strengthening of status as South Africa’s capital city7. building of Tshwane’s international status8. care for cultural and natural resourcesENERGISING SOUTH AFRICAN CITIES & TOWNS 9