Inadequate coordination, insufficient funding and skills shortages threaten South Africa’s energy future.

These are among the findings of a consensus study entitled The State of Energy Research in South Africa released by the Academy of Science of South Africa.

According to the study report, investments in coal research and development are inadequate despite the fact that coal will dominate South Africa’s energy supply for the foreseeable future.

Clean coal technologies are also not sufficiently funded, carbon capture and storage research programmes are insufficient and the bulk of coal research and development is being performed by only four entities.

Key recommendations

The study proposes that government departments with an energy budget establish a formal coordination mechanism, in accordance with the recommendations of the NDP, with a mandate to steer, plan and coordinate energy and energy-related research and development funded with public money, eliminate gaps and overlaps, taking into account national imperatives and priorities.

It is also recommended that an Energy Research and Development Desk be established to give effect to a coordination mechanism.

Funding energy research and development

With regard to funding, the study recommends that a more substantial portion of the national research and development vote should be allocated to energy and energy-related research in line with national priorities.

At least 1.5% of the fiscal appropriation should be earmarked for research and development support with a higher proportion of this allocated for energy than at present.

A recurring finding of the study is that human capital development in energy and energy-related research is insufficient despite the prominence given to energy in policy documents.

It is recommended that human capital development for energy areas aligned with the national energy agenda needs to be prioritised through the establishment of more research chairs, centres of competence and centres of excellence.

The study is available on www.assaf.org.za