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Policy & Regulation

This Database contains policy frameworks, regulatory institutions and mechanisms relevant to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

• Discussion Paper For Public Comment - Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions:The Carbon Tax Option - December 2010

The two main economic policy instruments available for putting a price on carbon and curbing GHG emissions are carbon taxation and emissions trading schemes. The carbon tax seeks to reduce emissions through the price mechanism directly, while emissions trading schemes establishes targets for specific levels of emissions through the trade in allowances. To date, the relative merits and feasibility of these policies have been demonstrated primarily in Europe. Uniform application of carbon taxes, however, tends to be regressive, because a disproportionate share of the tax burden falls on the poor. In a South African context, government would need to counteract this tendency, addressing other economic development imperatives such as poverty alleviation, and ensuring access to basic and affordable energy services for low-income households. The design of the tax should include compensating measures to minimise adverse impacts on low income households. Download Document

• Department of Energy Strategic Plan 2010 - 2013

This is the first strategic plan of the newly established Departmentof Energy (DoE), which was created as a result of the split of the mining and energy portfolios within the Department of Minerals and Energy, in 2009, in order to allow greater focus on energy issues. The Department has been mandated with the responsibility of ensuring secure and sustainable provision of energy for socio-economic development in our country. Download Document

• EEDSM and Standard Offer Incentive Support Policy 2010

EEDSM programs represent a win-win option by providing positive returns to energy consumers and the environment through the reduction of environmental pollution and the carbon footprint of the energy sector and by enhancing energy security. As South Africa embarks upon a massive capital program to increase our power generation capacity, the upward pressure on electricity tariffs will provide the impetus for saving energy. Download Document

• Integrated Resource Plan 2010

The Integrated Resource Plan in the South African context is not the Energy Plan. It is a National Electricity Plan. It is a subset of the Integrated Energy Plan. The IRP is also not a short or medium-term operational plan but a plan that directs the expansion of the electricity supply over the given period. The Long-term Electricity Planning goal is to ensure sustainable development considering: Technical constraints, Economic constraints, Social constraints and Externalities. Download Document

• National Energy Efficiency Strategy 2009

The strategy document sets a national long term target for energy efficiency improvement of 12% by 2015. This target is expressed in relation to the forecast national energy demand and therefore allows for current expectations for economic growth. It is accepted that this target will be challenging but it is considered to be readily achievable. Download Document

• Biofuels Industrial Strategy 2007

This document presents the proposed South African Biofuels Industrial Strategy and outlines Government’s approach to policy, regulations and incentives. This is a refinement of the draft Strategy approved by Cabinet for public comments in December 2006. The changes are based on comments received from a wide range of stakeholders. The stakeholders’ comments covered areas such as water limitations, food security (availability and affordability), land prices and land restitution, environmental concerns, biofuels quality, technology choices, crop selection/choices, support and incentives and concerns that strategy/policy is taking too long to
be finalized. Download Document

• Guidelines for the Introduction of Free Basic Electricity Service 2003

The decision to provide Free Basic Electricity is based on well-recognised socio-economic benefits of providing affordable basic services to enhance the well being of the poor. The provision of electricity supply makes a direct contribution to the socio-economic well being of the poor, and has a particular incidence on women and female children who are mainly responsible for carrying firewood, and other energy carriers necessary to maintain a functional household. It will also have positive impacts on the health and safety of the communities as the need fossil based energy source is reduced. Download Document

• White Paper on Renewable Energy 2003

This Paper sets out Government’s vision, policy principles, strategic goals and objectives for promoting and implementing renewable energy in South Africa. It also informs the public and the international community of the Government’s vision, and how the Government intends to achieve these objectives; and informs Government agencies and organs of their roles in achieving the objectives. Download Document

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