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SET4801 Assignment 2 2026 (Answer Guide) – Due 30 June 2026
Sustainable Energy Sources and Technology
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
South Africa's Transition from Coal to Sustainable Renewable Electricity: An Engineering
Assessment of Environmental, Economic and Socio-political Challenges and
Opportunities ............................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................2
2. Literature Review .......................................................................................................................3
3. Discussion ............................................................................................................................................. 5
3.1 Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuel Combustion ....................................................... 5
3.2 Political and Socio-economic Factors Influencing South Africa's Energy Transition 6
3.3 High-level Sustainability Plan for South Africa's Energy Transition .......................... 7
3.4 Feasibility of Achieving 100% Renewable Electricity .................................................. 8
3.5 Cost Comparison Between Coal and Renewable Energy ............................................ 9
3.6 Affordability of Renewable Electricity for Ordinary South Africans ..........................10
3.7 Proposed Strategy for Achieving a Sustainable Electricity Supply in South Africa .11
4. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 12
References ...........................................................................................................................14
, 2|Page
South Africa's Transition from Coal to Sustainable Renewable Electricity: An
Engineering Assessment of Environmental, Economic and Socio-political
Challenges and Opportunities
1. Introduction
South Africa's electricity sector has historically relied on coal as its primary source of
energy, with approximately 90% of the country's electricity generated from coal-fired
power stations. This dependence has supported economic growth, industrialisation and
employment for decades, particularly in mining and energy-intensive industries.
However, the continued reliance on coal has resulted in significant environmental
degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and public health concerns, while ageing
infrastructure and recurring electricity shortages have exposed the vulnerabilities of the
country's current energy system (Lloyd, 2002; Department of Environmental Affairs,
2012).
The global transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems has
accelerated following the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, which commits
participating countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global
warming. As a signatory to the Agreement, South Africa has committed to progressively
reducing its carbon emissions while ensuring that economic development, energy
security and social equity remain central to its energy policies. The expansion of
renewable energy technologies through initiatives such as the Renewable Energy
Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) demonstrates the
country's intention to diversify its electricity generation portfolio and reduce dependence
on fossil fuels (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, 2019).
Despite these commitments, South Africa faces numerous technical, political, economic
and social challenges in achieving a sustainable energy transition. These include the
continued economic importance of coal exports, employment dependence in coal-
producing regions such as Mpumalanga, grid reliability concerns and the affordability of
renewable electricity for ordinary households.
SET4801 Assignment 2 2026 (Answer Guide) – Due 30 June 2026
Sustainable Energy Sources and Technology
VERIFIED AND CERTIFIED ANSWERS. WRITTEN IN REQUIRED FORMAT AND WITHIN
GIVEN GUIDELINES. IT IS GOOD TO USE AS A GUIDE AND FOR REFERENCE, NEVER
PLAGARIZE. Thank you and success in your academics.
UNISA, 2026
Contents
South Africa's Transition from Coal to Sustainable Renewable Electricity: An Engineering
Assessment of Environmental, Economic and Socio-political Challenges and
Opportunities ............................................................................................................................................ 2
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................2
2. Literature Review .......................................................................................................................3
3. Discussion ............................................................................................................................................. 5
3.1 Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuel Combustion ....................................................... 5
3.2 Political and Socio-economic Factors Influencing South Africa's Energy Transition 6
3.3 High-level Sustainability Plan for South Africa's Energy Transition .......................... 7
3.4 Feasibility of Achieving 100% Renewable Electricity .................................................. 8
3.5 Cost Comparison Between Coal and Renewable Energy ............................................ 9
3.6 Affordability of Renewable Electricity for Ordinary South Africans ..........................10
3.7 Proposed Strategy for Achieving a Sustainable Electricity Supply in South Africa .11
4. Conclusion .......................................................................................................................................... 12
References ...........................................................................................................................14
, 2|Page
South Africa's Transition from Coal to Sustainable Renewable Electricity: An
Engineering Assessment of Environmental, Economic and Socio-political
Challenges and Opportunities
1. Introduction
South Africa's electricity sector has historically relied on coal as its primary source of
energy, with approximately 90% of the country's electricity generated from coal-fired
power stations. This dependence has supported economic growth, industrialisation and
employment for decades, particularly in mining and energy-intensive industries.
However, the continued reliance on coal has resulted in significant environmental
degradation, greenhouse gas emissions and public health concerns, while ageing
infrastructure and recurring electricity shortages have exposed the vulnerabilities of the
country's current energy system (Lloyd, 2002; Department of Environmental Affairs,
2012).
The global transition towards cleaner and more sustainable energy systems has
accelerated following the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, which commits
participating countries to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and limiting global
warming. As a signatory to the Agreement, South Africa has committed to progressively
reducing its carbon emissions while ensuring that economic development, energy
security and social equity remain central to its energy policies. The expansion of
renewable energy technologies through initiatives such as the Renewable Energy
Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) demonstrates the
country's intention to diversify its electricity generation portfolio and reduce dependence
on fossil fuels (Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, 2019).
Despite these commitments, South Africa faces numerous technical, political, economic
and social challenges in achieving a sustainable energy transition. These include the
continued economic importance of coal exports, employment dependence in coal-
producing regions such as Mpumalanga, grid reliability concerns and the affordability of
renewable electricity for ordinary households.
