 The
Energy, Poverty and Development group is concerned with energy issues
that affect sustainable development and improved livelihoods for poorer
communities in South Africa and other developing countries.
Over the
last decade, important research areas have included
-
assessing energy needs, resources, consumption patterns and
opportunities among low-income rural and urban
communities monitoring and assessing energy supply programmes aimed
at assisting the poor
-
in
particular, tracking the progress of electrification programmes
(both grid and non-grid electrification) and promoting a broader
�integrated development� approach
-
targeted research around themes like energy subsidies for the poor,
gender dimension, energy poverty, the benefits/constraints of using
renewable energy, and impacts of energy sector re-structuring on
access to energy for the poor
-
action
research programmes helping people in poor communities to improve
their energy supplies and use (in co-operation with energy suppliers
and government)
The
research generally includes a process of feedback to national
policy-makers and energy supply agencies. The experiences gained through
our fieldwork and policy research are carried into the ERC Masters
programme, to reach a wider spread of energy/development students and
professionals from South Africa and other countries. Capacity-building
and information services are also provided for groups of people involved
in improved energy for the poor, such as end-users, community leaders,
schools, local government and energy suppliers.
Current and recent projects in
which the group is involved
[in process of being updated]
• Universal energy access – is it achievable in South
Africa?
The research aims at
better understanding where the programme to reach the goal of ‘universal
electricity access’ by 2012 currently stands.
Further
information on this project
• Regional Climate
Change Programme – Value added research for transboundary adaptation
strategies
Part of a larger research
project aiming to better understand the science towards developing
transboundary adaptation strategies in specific study areas:
Further
information on this project
•
Supply
of clean energy services to the urban and peri-urban poor
(UPEA III)
The aim of this phase
of ongoing work will focus on recommending policy measures/other
measures to operationalise solutions to improve energy access for the
urban poor in Imizamo Yethu.
Further
information on this project
•
Part of Research
Consortium of Technology Deployment for Sustainable Development Project
(Township Caterers Project)
The project forms one
leg of a broader research-based project titled Technology Deployment for
Sustainable Urban Development.
Further
information on this project
•
Review of Solar Home
System Concession Programme
Period: 2011
Project leader:
Holle
Linnea Wlokas
No further
details available as yet.
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