Energy Justice in South Africa - Visions for a green hydrogen contribution in the Just Energy Transition

Abstract

The triple challenge of inequality, poverty, and unemployment in South Africa, together with the ever increasing threats from a changing climate, have led to the introduction of a Just Energy Transition (JET). Included in plans for this transition is the introduction of green hydrogen, an energy carrier stated to provide renewable energy, jobs, and justice, adding to an all-encompassing solution to the prevailing challenges. In similarity to the JET, this study applies an energy justice framework to evaluate various actors’ perspectives on the emerging green hydrogen economy in South Africa. Consisting of distributive, recognition, and procedural elements, the framework allows for a holistic analysis of energy systems based on the environmental justice approach. By interviewing participants within the government, private sector, and civil society, the study found a variety of perspectives regarding socioeconomic aspects of the future energy system. From the findings a private and public energy approach were distinguished. The government is opting for privatization of the energy system in order to overcome the failing energy system and acquire national and international private funding for setting up the future energy system, including hydrogen. Simultaneously, a public pathway is presented as an alternative, aiming to bring back energy as a public good, for the betterment of the population, rather than transnational profits. Based on the findings, green hydrogen is generally regarded to be an inevitable future development, leaving little room for negotiating by concerned parties, let alone informing uninvolved actors. Politicizing hydrogen discourse can help inform and include actors, by alerting of the imminent transition they are faced with. This study advises fairer distributing, specifically of international benefits and burdens, while recognizing local requirements through multiscalar governance procedures. Only in such a way can the South African energy system contribute to the global effort of fighting climate change and can governance at the international level contribute to local prosperity.