This study broadly investigates South African energy policy with specific emphasis on the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). It investigates how the procurement programme links to rights-based climate justice principles. Climate justice principles have the potential to greatly impact the socio-economic development characteristics of the renewable energy sector. These principles incorporate the notions of participation and self-representation, equality, and the anti-commodification of nature, thus linking to the collective ownership aspect of renewable energy plants. Depending on the procurement model chosen, renewable energy has the potential to offer true broad-based empowerment and developmental benefits to the country. A neo-Gramscian theoretical framework was selected in order to draw links between the renewable energy sector and the political economy which are so entrenched in the Minerals- Energy Complex (MEC). The neo-Gramscian framework demonstrates strength in the uncovering of the shift in the social relations of production and how these interact with the state and the international class project. It is utilised to expose the character of power and hegemony and how the needs of transnational capital are satisfied within local perceptions of development. This research revealed that the renewable energy sector has been annexed by the transnational neoliberal agenda through the non-participative nature of the REIPPPP. To challenge this power relation, the neo-Gramscian notion of a counter-hegemony is particularly pertinent. Community renewables, the focus of this research, are presented as such a counterhegemonic alternative. A number of European countries have successfully integrated community owned renewable energy plants into their energy sectors. Various case studies of community renewables in Denmark, Sweden and the UK respectively are proposed as alternative ownership models to those being promoted in the REIPPPP in South Africa. Barriers to community renewables in the South African context have been identified. These identified barriers allow one to make informed predictions about the future ownership of the renewable energy sector in South Africa. Recommendations are suggested that would work towards promoting a more inclusive and participatory renewable energy sector with greater adherence to climate justice principles. / M. Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

This study broadly investigates South African energy policy with specific emphasis on the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). It investigates how the procurement programme links to rights-based climate justice principles. Climate justice principles have the potential to greatly impact the socio-economic development characteristics of the renewable energy sector. These principles incorporate the notions of participation and self-representation, equality, and the anti-commodification of nature, thus linking to the collective ownership aspect of renewable energy plants. Depending on the procurement model chosen, renewable energy has the potential to offer true broad-based empowerment and developmental benefits to the country. A neo-Gramscian theoretical framework was selected in order to draw links between the renewable energy sector and the political economy which are so entrenched in the Minerals- Energy Complex (MEC). The neo-Gramscian framework demonstrates strength in the uncovering of the shift in the social relations of production and how these interact with the state and the international class project. It is utilised to expose the character of power and hegemony and how the needs of transnational capital are satisfied within local perceptions of development. This research revealed that the renewable energy sector has been annexed by the transnational neoliberal agenda through the non-participative nature of the REIPPPP. To challenge this power relation, the neo-Gramscian notion of a counter-hegemony is particularly pertinent. Community renewables, the focus of this research, are presented as such a counterhegemonic alternative. A number of European countries have successfully integrated community owned renewable energy plants into their energy sectors. Various case studies of community renewables in Denmark, Sweden and the UK respectively are proposed as alternative ownership models to those being promoted in the REIPPPP in South Africa. Barriers to community renewables in the South African context have been identified. These identified barriers allow one to make informed predictions about the future ownership of the renewable energy sector in South Africa. Recommendations are suggested that would work towards promoting a more inclusive and participatory renewable energy sector with greater adherence to climate justice principles. / M. Development and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013

This research explores the potential role of intermediaries in the implementation of socioeconomic development (SED) benefits through the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPPP) in low-income communities. SED benefits are a procurement requirement that forms part of REIPPPP's Economic Development scorecard and are required to be implemented in identified beneficiary communities, with the aim of improving livelihoods in such communities. Literature points to the fact that, community development is not a function of the private sector and that intermediaries can have success in partnering with communities in their quest for development. This research is approached through a qualitative inductive study of a case study. The case study is Project90by2030, a not-for-profit organisation (NPO) and public benefit organisation (PBO) that is focused on the mobilisation of and advocacy for clean energy in energy poor lowincome communities. The research pays attention to the organisation's community development approach and what possible learning benefits there could be for the REIPPPP. Interviews were held with community participants and facilitators of the Community Partnership Programme of the organisation. The research finds that low-income communities experience exclusion and inequality and identifies the agents of the said exclusion and inequality. This thesis argues that intermediaries can play an important role to bridge inequality of agency and other power dynamics that work to the detriment of the empowerment of low-income communities. It concludes that socio-economic community development is a contribution to society that business should pursue, with the support of intermediaries and with local government as a key strategic partner.

The sustainability of the REIPPP programme was as yet unknown. Through this study control drivers critical for the sustainability of the REIPPP programme were identified and prioritised. As background sustainability was investigated on an international level and within the South African context. Control drivers are drivers that have a significant impact on the sustainability of the REIPPP programme and also have some level of controllability. These drivers were obtained and compiled based on appropriate literature. The Global Reporting Guideline (GRI) for sustainability was used as baseline for identifying control drivers. To further obtain and verify the relevant sustainability control drivers, input from the REIPPP programme’s key stakeholders were included in the research. The key stakeholders provided an impact and controllability rating via a questionnaire, which was used to prioritise the identified control drivers. Selected key stakeholder where requested to review control drivers that were identified and prioritised, providing the researcher a means of verifying the preliminary proposed control drivers. Obtaining a final list of prioritised control drivers critical for the sustainability of the REIPPP programme was achieved by integrating the drivers identified by the researcher, stakeholder selected alternative drivers and their self-suggested control drivers. The prioritised control drivers could be used to promote or control the sustainability of the REIPPP programme by addressing and/or supporting the control drivers having the most significant impact. The top 5 prioritised control drivers were selected to be used in an interview with high level key stakeholders. The interviewees provided their input on how these drivers could be supported or addressed to control or even promote the sustainability of the REIPPP programme. From the interview it was clear that the final list of prioritised control drivers was relevant and could influence the long-term sustainability of the REIPPP programme. Many insights were obtained which could provide significant role players, or even the South African Government, the guidance they need to take the REIPPP programme forward. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

The sustainability of the REIPPP programme was as yet unknown. Through this study control drivers critical for the sustainability of the REIPPP programme were identified and prioritised. As background sustainability was investigated on an international level and within the South African context. Control drivers are drivers that have a significant impact on the sustainability of the REIPPP programme and also have some level of controllability. These drivers were obtained and compiled based on appropriate literature. The Global Reporting Guideline (GRI) for sustainability was used as baseline for identifying control drivers. To further obtain and verify the relevant sustainability control drivers, input from the REIPPP programme’s key stakeholders were included in the research. The key stakeholders provided an impact and controllability rating via a questionnaire, which was used to prioritise the identified control drivers. Selected key stakeholder where requested to review control drivers that were identified and prioritised, providing the researcher a means of verifying the preliminary proposed control drivers. Obtaining a final list of prioritised control drivers critical for the sustainability of the REIPPP programme was achieved by integrating the drivers identified by the researcher, stakeholder selected alternative drivers and their self-suggested control drivers. The prioritised control drivers could be used to promote or control the sustainability of the REIPPP programme by addressing and/or supporting the control drivers having the most significant impact. The top 5 prioritised control drivers were selected to be used in an interview with high level key stakeholders. The interviewees provided their input on how these drivers could be supported or addressed to control or even promote the sustainability of the REIPPP programme. From the interview it was clear that the final list of prioritised control drivers was relevant and could influence the long-term sustainability of the REIPPP programme. Many insights were obtained which could provide significant role players, or even the South African Government, the guidance they need to take the REIPPP programme forward. / MIng (Development and Management Engineering), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015