The Renewable Energy Shift South Africa Can't Afford To Delay

South Africas energy crisis isnt breaking newsits been a slow-motion disaster for years, and after a surreal hiatus, load shedding is back. Rolling blackouts, an over-reliance on coaland a fragile grid have left businesses, householdsand entire industries in survival mode for years. We all collectively roll our eyes when the lights go out, and the generators start humming. Most of us have realised that waiting for a government-led miracle is no longer an option.

But heres the thing: South Africa has everything it needs to build a cleaner, more stable energy system. The country has world-class solar and wind resources, and renewable technology has never been more accessible. The problem isnt the toolsits the system. Without serious investment in energy storage, grid infrastructureand large-scale renewable projects, progress will remain frustratingly slow.

With over 2,500 hours of sunshine annually, South Africa should be leading the solar revolution. Instead, solar remains a patchwork solution for those who can afford private installations, while large-scale projects struggle to take off. The benefits are obvious:

• Free energy once installed Unlike coal, sunlight has no fuel cost.

• Plummeting costs Solar panel prices have dropped over 80 in the past decade.