Netshithuthuni, Meshack Fhatuwani2024-06-182024-06-182023Netshithuthuni, Meshack Fhatuwani . (2023). Does South Africa’s energy regulatory framework promote renewable energy? [Master’s dissertation, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg]. WireDSpace. https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38677https://hdl.handle.net/10539/38677A research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Laws by Coursework and Research Report at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2023The South African economy heavily relies on fossil fuels such as coal as its major energy source. However, for more than fifteen years, South Africa has been faced with loadshedding and interrupted power cut, that results in persistent energy demand management. The cause is ascribed to inter alia, coal-fired power plants that are ageing, corruption, and lack of promotion of more renewables. The high dependence on coal-fired energy results in high significant environmental effects to the environment and human well-being. The environmental impacts include water and air pollution, climate change impacts due to GHG emissions. These emissions contribute to global warming, and diseases such as asthma, cancer, heart, and lung ailments. At the same time, South Africa has abundant renewable energy sources that can potentially reduce loadshedding, environmental effects or its energy deficit. The study accepts that renewable energy is sustainable, clean, and environmentally friendly in comparison to coal, although energy derived from renewables such as wind, solar, hydrogen cells and renewable- powered batteries also produce GHG emissions during manufacturing processes. The purpose of this study is to analyse and investigate the existing legal framework for promoting renewable energy sources as an alternative to non-renewable energy sources. In addition, this report seeks to determine whether the current regulatory framework sufficiently promotes and supports the integration of more renewables. It concludes that the current regulatory regime does not sufficiently promote and support the integration of renewable energy sources.en© 2023 University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.South African economyPower cutCoal-fired energyRenewable energy sourcesRenewable energy sourcesUCTDSDG-7: Affordable and clean energyDissertationUniversity of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg