WHAT IS THIS PROJECT ABOUT?

This project is about putting power – literally and figuratively – into the hands of communities.

“Mobilising Social Movements for Energy Democracy and Sovereignty in South Africa” is a bold initiative aimed at advancing community-led, socially owned renewable energy. It brings together the strength of grassroots organising with the vision of a just energy future.

Together, we are building local energy alternatives that centre justice, inclusion, and participation – creating a model where communities don’t just receive energy solutions but shape and own them.

From educational workshops and dialogue sessions, to solar energy demonstration units and local government engagement, this project is paving the way for renewable energy that works with and for people – especially those who have long been excluded from energy decisions.

2025
Year Three
2025

Year Three

Preparation of the financial profile for each pilot installation at the 3 sites. Complete engagements with governance actors to fully understand relevant policies, whether in place or proposed. Engagements with local communities through partners to draft future community-wide intervention scenarios Drafting of feasibility studies for 3 upscaled pilot projects, examining the available financial instruments and opportunities for funding Engaging relevant funders and institutions to secure funding for upscale projects Begin planning early stages of possible upscaling of projects and follow up through monitoring and evaluation design Prepare communication outputs for key project milestones, further media development, website maintenance, and community engagements

2023
Year Two
2023

Year Two

Feasibility Study Social Ownership Models in the Energy Transition also point to the need for widespread changes to laws, policies, regulations, state- and non-state funding in order to unlock the potential for such models. Off-grid systems can serve as a temporary solutions for interim energy service provision while awaiting electrification. It is not financially viable to have solar panels on every house- grid electricity is far cheaper and more reliable. An alternative to municipal supply is to purchase electricity directly from an IPP and ‘wheel’ electricity to the communities across the municipal grid- high risk due to the non-payments. However, it is a viable option for communities where payment is good. Workshops and Dialogues Demonstrations continued. Awareness and knowledge about renewable energy solutions. Story telling: exploring the stories of the communities, community members shaping new naratives by busting myths and shifting the old narratives around fossil fuel energy. Information sharing on renewable energy, skills development and capacity building. By September 2022 AbM was running a communal electricity hub and library in a container In April 2022 community members used SDCEA office (with rooftop solar) to charge phones and laptops, have coffee… community members including trade unions attended VEM’s ‘Energy Democracy Community Workshop eNkangala District & eMpumalanga provincial officials expressed excitement to VEM about upscaling CORE & committed to establishing a joint 10 person working group to support this work.

2022
Year One
2022

Year One

The first year of the project included: An Inception Phase for partners to forge a collaborative working arrangement and through a Strategic Planning Process to map out the work for the year, which included community research and a Feasibility Study to estimate the scope of renewable energy options that could become affordable and scalable. The Implementation Phase included the Installation of Demonstration Units, the Development of Learning Materials, and a series of Community Workshops, which provided learning opportunities to understand how renewable energy works. Finally, Year 1 concluded with the Reflection and Adaptation Phase, which provided an adaptive approach to reflect on lessons learnt and to take stock of upcoming opportunities, parts of which will be covered by an Independent Case Study and Documentary.

Voices from the Ground

Where the change is happening

eMalahleni

Emalahleni Local Municipality, is situated in the middle of South Africa’s coal fields in Mpumalanga that supply nearby coal-based power generation plants. The environmental and health effects on the communities are unmistakable, yet the mines also provide employment and drive economic activity in the area. The Vukani Environmental Movement was established in 2016 and works to address environmental and climate change issues by engaging and educating communities and wider stakeholders and promoting democratic and inclusive decision making.

eThekwini

eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality is the largest city in the KwaZulu-Natal Province. Situated on the coast, the region is hilly with many gorges and ravines. eThekwini is a leading South African city in terms of its climate change response, with ambitious renewable energy targets. Nevertheless, communities in the heavily industrialised South Durban region (Wentworth and Austerville) remain affected by air pollution and related human health impacts from the emissions from local refineries and chemical plants. The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) has worked tirelessly since 1995 to achieve a healthy and safe environment and address issues of environmental and social inequalities and injustices.