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| Wind Energy Farm |
The United Nations has declared 2012 as, "International Year of Sustainable Energy for All". The topic of sustainable energy sources is fast gaining momentum and is taking centre stage not only in the developed world but also among third world countries, including South Africa.
Recently, the the government of South Africa signed a memorandum of understanding with the Kingdom of Lesotho regarding energy resources. It is believed that the immediate opportunity between the two countries is the investment in the harnessing of wind generated at the top of the high Lesotho mountain ranges and converting this into electricity, using wind turbines. A few days prior to the signature of the MoU with the Kingdom of Lesotho, South Africa's Minister of Energy, Dipuo Peters was involved with the launch, in the Eastern Province, of a facility that will manufacture flat plate solar panels used in the generation of renewable energy. All of these initiatives take place against the backdrop of COP17 due to take place in Durban from 28 November 2011.
The government of President Zuma must be commended for its efforts and drive towards sustainable development. However, today South Africa, like most other nations around the world continue to rely heavily on crude oil and coal as main sources of energy. Indeed South Africa is among the world's biggest exporters of coal and a major importer of crude oil, both for local consumption and for re-export as refined petroleum products. We must therefore not be fooled into thinking that sustainable energy sources will overtake conventional energy sources any time soon. These conventional energy sources remain too lucrative for any self-respecting capitalist society to abandon them in exchange for solar, wind and the like.
Our Politicians must demonstrate some will.
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