Renewable Energy and Circular Water Systems

On Energy: The South African energy sector is a resource intensive sector characterised by high levels of inefficiency. An estimated 71% of South Africa’s primary energy consumption comes from the burning of coal1, with 2% of South Africa’s water directed to energy generation. The sector is also a highly linear, wasteful one, generating large quantities of gaseous, liquid, and solid waste. 

On water: South Africa is a water-scarce country, one of the thirty driest countries in the world with an average annual rainfall of approximately 460 mm, less than half the world average 3. Currently, South Africa is using 98% of its available water supply. Most of this water comes from surface water (68%) and return flows that support surface water (13%). Based on growth projections and current water use efficiency levels, the demand for water in South Africa is expected to exceed supply by 17% by 2030. If left unchecked, this will constrain South Africa’s future growth. A more sustainable and efficient approach in the use of our very limited water resources is needed. The CSIR recognizes the opportunity a circular economy transition provides South Africa in decoupling growth from water consumption, thereby addressing national resource security in support of socio-economic development, through sustainable water resource use.

What are some of the immediate actions that can be taken to better our systems and use these resources sustainably?