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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 11, No. 2

Publication Date: April 25, 2023

DOI:10.14738/aivp.112.14211.

Maleka, V. M., & Islam, M. S. (2023). Exploring the Efficacy and Feasibility of Wind Energy as A Panacea for Eskom’s Sustainable

Generation with Energy Security and Energy Poverty. European Journal of Applied Sciences, Vol - 11(2). 131-142.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Exploring the Efficacy and Feasibility of Wind Energy as A

Panacea for Eskom’s Sustainable Generation with Energy

Security and Energy Poverty

Dr. Victor Chipane Maleka

Atlantic International University (AIU), Pioneer Plaza,

900 Fort Street Mall 905, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

Dr. Mohammad Shahidul Islam

Atlantic International University (AIU), Pioneer Plaza,

900 Fort Street Mall 905, Honolulu, HI 96813, USA

Abstract

There is ample proof that South Africa's ongoing reliance on fossil fuels as its

primary source of energy consumption. It has contributed to the release of

greenhouse gases that have exacerbated ecosystem disruption causing global

warming and climate change. The study investigated and evaluated the

effectiveness and feasibility of wind energy as a magic bullet to improve energy

security, sustainable energy production, and alleviate energy poverty in South

Africa. This is in order to improve sustainable energy generation, energy security,

and the elimination of these problems. A thorough literature review of papers

published between 2015 and 2022 was done in this study. SWOT analysis method

(strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) is also used in the study.

According to the analysis, Eskom's deployment of wind energy at a large scale can

enhance South Africa's energy security and sustainably provide power while also

lowering the country's present level of energy poverty. The systematic literature

review indicates that South Africa, particularly in the Eastern and Western Cape

regions, offers significant potential for and capacity for renewable wind energy. In

order to incorporate renewable sources into its energy mix and achieve energy

sustainability, Eskom should use macro-level strategies that discourage carbon- based energy.

Keywords: Efficacy; Feasibility; Renewable Energy, Non-Renewable Energy, Fossil Fuel,

Environment, Green Energy, Wind Energy, Fossil Fuels, Eskom, Energy Poverty,

Sustainable Energy, and Energy Security.

INTRODUCTION

Most of the world now relies on fossil fuels and other non-renewable energy sources as their

primary energy sources, however they are quickly depleting (Mas'ud, Wirba, Ardila-Rey,

Albaracin, Muhammad-Sukki, Duque, Bani&Munir, 2017). Non-renewable resource pollution is

a problem that harms both the environment and human health. These issues have led to the

necessity for renewable energy in numerous countries all over the world. Power companies

like Eskom should move from fossil fuels to other energy sources to combat climate change

(Arent, Arndt, Miller, Tarp & Zinaman, 2017; Isoaho, Goritz & Schulz, 2017). The modern energy

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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 11, Issue 2, April-2023

transition is typically greatly influenced by changes in legislation, technology, and economic

growth (Cherp, Vinichenko, Jewell, Brutschin & Sovacool, 2018).

Nonetheless, it appears that among the most crucial factors impacting the processes of the

energy transition are supporting policies and effective institutions (Jacobsson & Lauber, 2006).

Several nations have pledged to do more to achieve a clean energy transition in order to fulfill

the ambitions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) agenda regarding SDG 7 (energy and

energy access) and SDG 13 (climate change), as well as the commitments made during the 21st

Conference of the Parties (COP21) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate

Change (UNFCCC) in Paris in 2015. However, the analysis of the effectiveness and viability of

switching to renewable wind energy in developing countries, particularly in Africa and South

Africa, has received less attention (Cherp, Vinichenko, Jewell, Suzuki & Antal, 2017; Cherp et al.,

2018). In the context of Africa, the shift to renewable energy should be viewed as clean energy

modernization and expansion rather than a transition in and of itself (Aliyu, Modu, Tan, 2018;

Akinyoade, Uche & Dangote, 2017; IEA. Energy access outlook, 2017).

Background and Context of the Study

Due to its difficulty in producing enough electricity to fulfill demand, South Africa is currently

experiencing an energy crisis. The result of this has been a number of loadshedding cycles.

While Eskom works to get the nation's energy production back to sustainable levels, a reliable

grid ought to be a top priority for all stakeholders on a national level.

Regarding this situation, South Africa has recognized wind energy as a solution to simplify the

switch from non-renewable energy sources to renewable energy sources like wind energy in

order to lessen the challenges and drawbacks associated with using fossil fuels as energy

sources (Mukonza & Nhamo, 2018). A few of the organizations in South Africa that support

renewable energy are the Department of Energy (DoE), Energy Development Corporation,

South Africa National Energy Development Institute, South Africa Wind Energy Association,

South African Renewable Energy Council, South African Renewable Initiative, and Sustainable

Energy Society Southern Africa. In collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry

(DTI), which hosted the WINDABA conference for African wind energy companies in 2014.

The fastest-growing renewable energy source in the world is wind energy, which has also

become one of the most economically advantageous sources of raw materials per unit of power

produced (Aliyu, Modu & Tan, 2018). Due to the abundance of renewable energy resources in

some locations, empirical studies have shown that more than 62% of South Africa's electricity

needs may be satisfied by wind resources (Zhang, Gari, & Hmurcik, 2014).

This shows that there would be enough wind farms to create around 6700GW, which would be

sufficient to meet the world's electricity needs, if they were erected everywhere in the country,

excluding exclusion zones (Yahiaoui, Benmansour, & Tadjine, 2016). Furthermore, according

to the CSIR, over 80% of South Africa's land mass has sufficient wind resources for the optimal

and technologically advantageous operation of wind farms with a very high annual load factor

of around 30%. (Bracco, Delfino, Pampararo, Robba, & Rossi, 2015; Izadbakhsh, Gandomkar,

Rezvani, & Ahmadi, 2015).