EMALAHLENI – Installation of rooftop solar PV, demonstrating the multiple benefits of renewable energy in our communities.
Workers installing solar PV rooftop in eMalahleni. Image - Chris Louw
21 April 2022
Movement building – a key aim of the Urban Movement Incubator Energy Democracy (UMI ED) project has been achieved. This involved an inclusive and meaningful process of learning and knowledge sharing through informative dialogues and workshops demonstrating that a transition from coal generated electricity to renewable energy is possible in low-income communities. Off-grid rooftop solar PV technology is being installed at the community-based organization Vukani Environmental Movement (VEM) Center, with the aim of understanding and learning how the technology generates electricity from the sun to meet energy needs.
VEM is located in the highveld area of Mpumalanga Province, home to 12 of Eskom’s extremely polluting coal-fired power plants. “There is sickness in our community, electricity is expensive, there is no ownership, it is unreliable because there is load shedding at any time and sometimes for many days,” are the stark and serious sentiments shared by a local community member at Emalahleni. With one of the goals of the project being to advocate for a just transition, it is imperative that community knowledge and social power is strengthened to engage meaningfully with key stakeholders such as local government.
The UMI ED project has been actively advocating for clean energy for low-income communities through various engagements with different stakeholders. The project aims to show that community-led and socially owned renewable energy solutions are possible and can work. This can be viable when the communities work jointly with municipalities in order to achieve widespread and scalable renewable energy technology solutions.
The rooftop solar PV demonstration unit currently being installed at the VEM Center serves as an important learning tool for the community. It will demonstrate the provision of clean, safe and reliable energy. In addition, the community stands to learn about how this technology transforms the sun’s abundant energy into electricity.
Following the solar PV installation, a training workshop will be facilitated by renewable energy expert, Crecer Energy, where community members will be afforded an opportunity to learn and gain skills in renewable energy operation and maintenance.
As next steps, after the installation of the demonstration units and workshop, it is important that we get our demands right. We will approach the government to show that the implemented renewable energy solution works and partner with the local government in finding affordable electricity solutions for the marginalized low-income communities. In addition to affordable and reliable electricity, there is an enormous benefit of reduced air pollution in the area, considering that it is a nationally declared High Priority Area. We need to partner with the local government in order to scale up renewable energy implementation for the benefit of all.
Quotes
Promise Mabilo, VEM:
“As VEM we are very happy that the installation is taking place today. Finally this is what we were looking for to be done on our side. We appreciate this opportunity and that will bring more people on board to learn from it and on how it works this is a very big success on our side.”
Thembisile Mbethe, Community member Witbank.
“I can't wait to see more sites in the area, and I am wishing to get experts to come and teach more skills on building the solar panels, batteries, and all the equipment needed to finish up all the installations.”
Avena Jacklin, groundWork:
“Communities on the frontlines of coal powered stations have struggled with poor air quality, respiratory illness and even death. They have also suffered from the hazards posed by unrehabilitated coal mines without access to electricity for decades. Following over 2,200 human deaths and over 9,500 reported cases of bronchitis in children, VEM’s “Deadly Air” case challenged government for violating communities’ constitutional rights to a healthy environment and for not holding polluting coal industries accountable through stricter regulations and to accelerate the transition to cleaner energy. VEM are now leading the way to help communities and stakeholders in the Highveld understand what renewable energy is, how it works and how it can provide safe and clean jobs with the inclusion of people through democratic processes.”
Desmond D’Sa, SDCEA:
“Solar works wonders especially during the recent load shedding in the KZN floods. The SDCEA office was opened and community groups were able to charge their phones and laptops, whilst having a hot cup of coffee”
Bathandwa Vazi, Sustainable Energy Africa
“The solar system being installed at the VEM offices is an off-grid system, meaning it will be running independent of the electricity grid. The key points from this is that though this system is not setting a precedence for the viability of “off-grid” solar, it is going to form basis for key learnings for the community of KwaGuqa and surroundings. Is it also an opportunity for the community to engage the local municipality in order to strengthen communication processes in relation to the provision of energy services as well as the transition into the clean energy.
Yachika Reddy, Sustainable Energy Africa:
This initiative demonstrates the power of community through VEM and other social movements in leading the charge to bring about significant awareness, understanding and meaningful dialogue about renewable energy solutions to meeting key primary energy needs of communities. And in so doing empowering communities about huge health, economic and environmental benefits of renewable energy solutions and how communities can now actively participate and engage in energy decision-making as the country transitions away from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
Contacts:
Mary-Joy Masetlane, Project Organiser, UMI Energy Democracy Project
mj@groundwork.org.za
+27 83 729 4477
Promise Mabilo, Project Officer, Vukani Environmental Movement, UMI Energy Democracy Project
mabilo.promise@gmail.com
+27 79 748 9115
Bathandwa Vasi, Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA)
bathandwa@sustainable.org.za
+27 81 780 4114
Tsepang Molefe, Media, groundWork
media@groundwork.org.za
+27 74 405 1257