Document Abstract
Published:
2008
Electric capitalism: recolonising Africa on the power grid
The need for electricity reform in Africa?
Focusing on the importance of electricity in Africa, this collaborative work examines the notion of electric capitalism. Although it is based mainly on South Africa, the editors argue that the majority of the lessons to come out of this work are also relevant to the rest of Africa.
The various chapters that form this book describe a situation in which large corporations and policy-making elites are intent on expanding electricity capacity in South and Southern Africa on terms which are beneficial to international capital, at the expense of those who need electricity most. Africa is the most under-supplied region in the world when it comes to electricity and yet its economies are utterly dependent upon it. Africa is not unique in this respect, but the inequities of infrastructure investments and decision making control are particularly pronounced. However, it is stressed that there is hope for a more sustainable and equitable electricity future for the region. From solar power, to decentralised electricity committees to better demand management, there are a myriad of policies and practices that could be introduced relatively quickly, and with significant effect on sustainability and equity.
The book concludes looking at alternative electricity paths which are categorised into either reforming or transforming categories. These include:
The various chapters that form this book describe a situation in which large corporations and policy-making elites are intent on expanding electricity capacity in South and Southern Africa on terms which are beneficial to international capital, at the expense of those who need electricity most. Africa is the most under-supplied region in the world when it comes to electricity and yet its economies are utterly dependent upon it. Africa is not unique in this respect, but the inequities of infrastructure investments and decision making control are particularly pronounced. However, it is stressed that there is hope for a more sustainable and equitable electricity future for the region. From solar power, to decentralised electricity committees to better demand management, there are a myriad of policies and practices that could be introduced relatively quickly, and with significant effect on sustainability and equity.
The book concludes looking at alternative electricity paths which are categorised into either reforming or transforming categories. These include:
- better demand management - the process of creating disincentives from excessive consumption both through pricing mechanisms, as well as through legislated limits to consumption
- investment in alternative energies - the potential for wind, solar, and wave power is particularly high in South and Southern Africa - there are also a variety of other possibilities that could be explored
- keeping electricity public - some argue that private sector participation in electricity services tends to make utilities less accountable, less transparent, and less equity oriented
- transformative actions could include nationalising energy-related firms, cancelling nuclear development programmes, implementing stringent demand measures, and halting or slowing the production of non-essential electricity-intensive goods and services.
