As the South African government aims to mitigate the impacts of climate change and build a low-carbon economy, a central strategy of the so-called “just” energy transition is the decommissioning and repurposing of coal-fired power stations. Currently, the coal industry produces over 70% of the country’s electricity supply, with over 100,000 jobs across the coal value chain and numerous towns, cities and settlements across the province of Mpumalanga relying on coal mining and electricity production for their livelihoods.
This report examines the impacts and implications of shutting down coal plants and shifting to renewable energy. Specifically, the report concerns the impact of the slow death of the coal industry on organised labour at power stations and the working-class communities surrounding them. This investigation contains an analysis and overview of the systemic crises in the energy sector, alongside ongoing structural reforms in the electricity industry. Alongside this analysis, this research publication captures the perspectives of leadership and rank-and-file members within trade unions of the energy sector through candid interviews and survey data.
Importantly, this report provides a critique of the current model of decommissioning, which is based on for-profit decarbonisation, de-risking energy infrastructure development, and a dangerous reliance on international financial institutions such as the World Bank.
Beyond critique, this report maintains that climate change and ecological collapse are problems that require extensive planning, careful coordination and democratic deliberation with those who will be most severely affected. To protect livelihoods, create new green jobs and meet basic needs for energy, food, water and housing, the report advances policy proposals for a public pathway to decarbonisation.
We hope you find this report informative and valuable. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions or for further information. Read the full report below.
