Energy

Overview

In Makers Valley, energy is essential for everyday tasks like cooking, lighting, heating, and using appliances such as washing machines, fridges, and TVs. It’s also crucial for driving the area’s industries and economy. Prior to 1990, less than a third of the South African population had access to electricity. It has risen from 58% in 1996, to over 90% access today. Currently, Johannesburg relies heavily on coal-based energy from Eskom, supplying 94% of its needs. However, Eskom’s limited capacity has led to scheduled power cuts, called load shedding, which impacts the city’s social and economic life.

Load Shedding

Makers Valley has seen an increase in load shedding; a controlled and deliberate shutdown of electricity supply to prevent a total collapse of the power system. Load shedding disrupts access to essential services such as healthcare and education as well as daily life, particularly for those who cannot afford backup power supplies. For example, when the power goes out, fridges stop working, causing food to spoil. Load shedding occurs in various stages. During Stage 1, one may experience up to 2 hours without electricity per day, while Stage 6 can result in as much as 10-12 hours without power daily. The practice also disrupts businesses, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which often lack backup power sources, leading to financial losses and job insecurity.

Renewable Energy Target: South Africa aims for 41% renewable energy by 2030, but current projections suggest it will only reach 20%.

Coal Dependence: Coal currently dominates with over 80% of electricity generation. Most fossil fuel power stations are in their mid-to end of-life phases, with a designed lifespan of 50 years.

Emissions Goals: South Africa targets a 10–25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, hindered by coal reliance.

A person standing next to a group of blue gas cylinders on a street. The person is wearing dark pants and sneakers, with another individual partially visible in the background. The scene is outdoors, and there is a sense of activity as people interact with the gas cylinders.
Two large yellow gas pipes lying along the side of a street, next to a wall with graffiti. The pipes are positioned parallel to the road, and the wall behind them features bold, blocky lettering. The street appears to be in an industrial area.

Current situation

An Integrated Resource Plan, introduced in 2019, aims to diversify the energy sources by 2030 while ensuring a fair transition from an economic and social standpoint. One of the main challenges in diversifying the energy mix is maintaining affordability. A survey by the Department of Energy found that three-quarters of South Africans prioritise keeping electricity prices low in government energy policies, with economic factors taking precedence. When asked about the future energy mix, nearly a third of respondents indicated that the cheapest source is preferred, while a quarter expressed support for renewable energy.

The majority of households have an electricity connection to the national grid and have enough electricity to meet their needs on a daily basis. Households typically pre-pay for electricity using a prepaid metering service. Free Basic Electricity (FBE) was introduced across South Africa in 2003 so that the first 50kWh consumed each month in low-income households is free. However, studies indicate that this is insufficient, and at least the first 200kWh per household per month should be provided for free to meet basic household needs.

The electricity distribution system also suffers from load shedding, lack of maintenance, and illegal connections which all impact the reliability of electricity supplied to consumers. Residents could tap into the gas network run by Egoli Gas, with Johannesburg sourcing its natural gas from Mozambique. However, as of January 2024, Egoli Gas has stopped supplying gas to Johannesburg’s eastern suburbs. For cooking, Makers Valley residents now rely on Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) from portable canisters. Small companies have set up businesses collecting and delivering bottles and cylinders. These are also available at local petrol stations and hardware stores.

Certain homes have electric hot water heaters (geysers) to supply hot water, but many shacks or informal dwellings lack this amenity. Landlords often include water and electricity in the rent at a fixed rate, sometimes omitting geysers to cut costs, leading to shorter cold showers. To cope, some individuals buy electric water heating elements and warm water in storage containers.

Elsewhere in Johannesburg, some households have received subsidised solar water heaters through a government initiative facilitated by City Power. As energy costs are high, some forgo certain appliances or resort to less safe alternatives, like using paraffin heaters or open fires. Paraffin, occasionally used for heating, is sold in bottles.

Many people in Makers Valley live in informal dwellings such as shacks or in ‘hijacked’ buildings (see Built Environment for more information). These dwellings can lack basic amenities such as running water, toilets, and/or legal electricity connections. Without a reliable electricity supply, residents use fire for warmth and lighting within the congested building. Residents often partition rooms into smaller spaces using flammable materials like cardboard and sheets as makeshift dividers, while loose electric cables hang from the ceiling. Paraffin stoves are typically used for cooking, and during the colder winter months between May and August, residents frequently light fires in large metal drums, fueled by wood and scavenged items. Candles, which are commonly used for lighting, together with illegal electricity connections pose significant fire hazards in the overcrowded dwellings.

RELEVANT CASE STUDIES 

Take a look at the following case studies for more information and ideas. As you explore this area and the perspectives from the case studies, consider how the energy interconnects with other challenges identified by the community:

A small, worn building with a corrugated metal roof and faded pink walls. A utility pole with a street sign stands in front, and the background shows bare trees under a pale sky, suggesting a quiet, urban area.

Projects

16 Energy Reliability

Electricity costs represent a significant household expense for residents of Makers Valley, and the growing frequency of load shedding in Johannesburg exacerbates the issue. In light of this, what strategies could be explored to help residents reduce electricity costs, such as adopting energy-efficient appliances or alternative solutions that could lessen their reliance on the grid?

17 Energy Security

While places like Victoria Yards have successfully installed solar panels, concerns about theft remain a significant barrier for others considering solar energy. What strategies can be explored to address these concerns and protect solar panel installations, ensuring that they remain a viable and secure option for alternative energy in the area?

18 Energy Safety

In "hijacked" buildings, where improper electricity connections pose serious fire hazards, it is essential to explore safer, energy-efficient alternatives. What solutions could be proposed to address these safety concerns while ensuring residents have access to reliable and efficient electricity?

19 LPG distribution

As of January 2024, Makers Valley residents have increasingly relied on Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) from portable canisters, with small companies collecting and delivering bottles, and LPG being available at local petrol stations and hardware stores. Given this growing dependence, what safer and more efficient solutions could be proposed for the distribution of LPG to ensure both convenience and safety for the community?