The Rise of Grassroots Clean Energy Solutions
As South Africa grapples with a deepening energy crisis, many communities are taking matters into their own hands. Faced with crippling load shedding, unreliable fossil fuel-based electricity, and the devastating impacts of climate change, townships across the country are pioneering innovative community-owned solar projects. These initiatives are not only improving local access to clean, affordable power, but are also empowering marginalized groups, spurring economic development, and advancing environmental justice.
One shining example is the Saltuba Cooperative in the KwaZakhele Township of Nelson Mandela Bay. Frustrated by frequent blackouts that disrupted businesses and schooling, 36 households banded together to develop a 5 kW solar installation on a public “gap tap” space. This pioneering project, supported by researchers from Nelson Mandela University, represents South Africa’s first community-owned solar demonstration. By generating and managing their own renewable electricity, the Saltuba Cooperative is charting a path towards energy sovereignty and resilience.
Rian van Staden, South Africa’s coordinator for Global 10% Renewable Energy, highlights the numerous benefits of community-owned solar initiatives. “Community ownership provides citizens with greater control over local resources, decreases vulnerability, and supports national climate and resilience goals,” he explains. The Saltuba Cooperative’s project serves as a replicable model, illuminating regulatory and financial hurdles that future community solar projects can overcome.
Addressing Energy Poverty and Climate Injustice
South Africa’s energy woes are deeply rooted in its colonial and apartheid history. The state-owned utility, Eskom, relies heavily on aging, inefficient coal-fired power plants, many of which are plagued by mismanagement and corruption. Consequently, rolling blackouts have become a common occurrence, leaving households and businesses without power for up to 12 hours a day.
This energy insecurity disproportionately impacts marginalized communities. According to the Presidential Climate Commission’s 2024 report, “a critical aspect of a just transition in the post-apartheid context is to address the concentration of wealth and ensure restorative and distributive justice.” Community-owned solar offers a pathway to achieve this, empowering historically disadvantaged groups with the means to generate their own clean energy and reap the economic benefits.
The Saltuba Cooperative’s project exemplifies this approach. Located in the KwaZakhele Township, which was established during the apartheid era as a designated Black settlement, the cooperative’s solar array provides electricity to 36 nearby households. Importantly, the project also powers a community garden, a recycling center, and an internet café – meeting the diverse needs of the local community.
Overcoming Regulatory Barriers
While the Saltuba Cooperative’s solar initiative has shown immense promise, it has also faced significant regulatory hurdles. Since the project is situated on municipal land, the cooperative has had to navigate complex leasing arrangements and navigate lengthy approval processes. Moreover, despite promises of financial benefits, households participating in the project have yet to receive direct payments for the electricity they feed into the grid.
These regulatory barriers are not unique to the Saltuba Cooperative. Across South Africa, community groups interested in pursuing renewable energy projects often encounter a web of complicated rules and bureaucratic delays. The Presidential Climate Commission’s 2024 report highlights these challenges, noting that “local regulations differ across municipalities, making it difficult for communities and households to engage in renewable energy businesses.“
To address these obstacles, the Saltuba Cooperative and its partners are working to identify and dismantle the regulatory roadblocks hindering community-owned solar. By sharing their experiences and advocating for policy changes, the cooperative aims to pave the way for future grassroots clean energy initiatives throughout the country.
Building a Movement for Energy Democracy
The Saltuba Cooperative’s efforts are part of a growing movement for energy democracy in South Africa. Driven by a diverse coalition of unions, community organizations, and environmental advocates, this movement seeks to challenge the centralized, fossil fuel-dependent energy system and empower marginalized communities with the means to control their own energy resources.
One key ally in this struggle is the Climate Justice Coalition (CJC), a nationwide network of activists fighting for an equitable clean energy transition. In July 2023, the CJC organized a protest in solidarity with the Saltuba Cooperative, arguing that regulatory barriers undermine municipalities’ ability to purchase electricity from community-owned projects. The CJC contends that South Africa’s clean energy transition must prioritize community-led initiatives that dismantle historical inequities.
Across South Africa, other community-owned solar projects are also gaining momentum. In the Magliano Alpi community in the Italian Alps, residents have developed tools to forecast energy generation and demand, enabling them to effectively share their solar PV output and meet 35% of their electricity needs. Similarly, in the Indian city of Lucknow, residents were able to sell their rooftop solar power at 43% below the central market price through the use of digital trading platforms.
These examples demonstrate the tremendous potential of community-owned renewable energy to empower marginalized groups, strengthen local resilience, and advance climate justice. As South Africa grapples with its energy crisis, the Saltuba Cooperative and its allies are poised to lead the way towards a more equitable, sustainable, and democratically-controlled energy future.
Financing the Transition
Securing the necessary funding for community-owned solar projects remains a significant challenge in South Africa. The country’s aging, coal-dependent electricity grid requires extensive investment, and the transition to renewable energy is further hampered by the financial woes of the state-owned utility, Eskom.
According to the Climate Policy Initiative, South Africa’s climate finance needs to increase three to fivefold from the current (2023) average of R131 billion to meet its emissions reduction targets. Globally, the cost of capital has also risen in recent years, making local currency financing more expensive, particularly in emerging economies like South Africa.
However, there are some promising developments on the financing front. The Embedded Generation Investment Programme (EGIP), for example, aims to upscale distributed solar uptake throughout the country with a program budget of USD $200 million. Additionally, the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has committed to advancing environmental sustainability and supporting enterprises owned by historically marginalized communities.
The Saltuba Cooperative’s initial 5 kW solar installation was funded through the Ezethu Trust, and the project also received support from the Nelson Mandela University’s research program. Going forward, the Presidential Climate Commission has recommended the use of unconditional grants to ensure that the social benefits of community-owned solar projects reach citizens directly.
Scaling Up Community-Owned Solar
The Saltuba Cooperative’s solar initiative is just the beginning. The project’s research team, led by Patrick Brennan and Janet Cherry, envisions scaling up the model to leverage the township’s 120 “gap taps” and the rooftops of 25 member households. This could potentially generate up to 150 kW of community-owned solar power, significantly increasing the resilience and self-sufficiency of the KwaZakhele Township.
Similar community-owned solar projects are popping up across South Africa, drawing inspiration from the Saltuba Cooperative’s pioneering work. In the Lyndoch residential community in South Africa, a microgrid project interconnected over 30 homes, with members of the community trained and certified to assume roles in the development, installation, maintenance, operation, and ownership of the energy system.
As more townships and communities embrace the power of locally-controlled renewable energy, the potential for transformative change grows. These initiatives not only address energy poverty and climate change, but also tackle deeper issues of economic and social inequality. By empowering marginalized communities to take charge of their energy future, community-owned solar projects are rewriting the script on sustainable development.
Conclusion: A Beacon of Hope for a Just Transition
The Saltuba Cooperative’s community-owned solar initiative stands as a beacon of hope in South Africa’s complex energy landscape. By harnessing the power of the sun and the collective determination of its members, the cooperative is charting a path towards energy sovereignty, economic resilience, and environmental justice.
Despite the regulatory hurdles and financial challenges, the Saltuba Cooperative and its allies remain steadfast in their commitment to a just energy transition. Their work is not only transforming the lives of KwaZakhele residents, but is also inspiring communities across South Africa to take control of their energy future.
As the global community grapples with the urgency of climate action, the Saltuba Cooperative’s model offers a compelling blueprint for grassroots-driven sustainable development. By empowering marginalized communities, fostering local economic opportunities, and advancing environmental stewardship, these community-owned solar initiatives are redefining the meaning of a truly just and equitable energy transition.
