Improved affordability and accessibility of energy technologies that provide alternative means of generation have resulted in an increase of over 35% in sustainable energy use in developing countries between 2013 and 2014, says energy solutions provider Energy Partners.

“Taking factors such as cost, availability and reliability into account, photovoltaic solar energy generation is currently by far the most efficient option for businesses and households that want to gain some form of energy independence. In fact, the only regions better suited than Southern Africa for solar energy generation globally are Australia and South America,” says Energy Partners spokesperson Cala van der Westhuizen.

Making reference to the International Energy Agency’s statistics, he mentions that sustainable energy formed 18% of the generation capacity mix globally in 2007, 21% in 2012 and 22% in 2013. Noting a steady increase, the report points out that an estimated 25% of the world’s energy requirements will be fulfilled through sustainable sources by 2018.

Van der Westhuizen further notes that some experts believe that rapid growth in renewable technologies in South Africa will result in 100% sustainable energy generation by 2025, though a more realistic expectation is about 30%.

Already, the UK’s Guardian has identified the Cookhouse wind farm, in the Eastern Cape, as the biggest wind system built in Africa, owing to its 66 turbines generating 138 MW of clean power. The wind farm started feeding the grid at the end of last year.

Moreover, South Africa invested about R73-billion in sustainable energy solutions last year. This, Van der Westhuizen believes may have been playing a significant role in State-owned power utility Eskom’s ability to provide uninterrupted power supply in the past few weeks.

“Besides the most obvious environmental benefits, such as the significant decrease in pollution, the implementation and privatisation of sustainable energy will also decrease the costs of energy for the end-consumer,” he explains.

Further, Van der Westhuizen believes the increased accessibility of sustainable energy in developing countries will lessen the strain on parastatal electricity providers, decrease the cost for the end-consumer and stimulate the economy through job creation.