Energy Mix as a Driver of Sustainability in the South African Energy Supply Chain

Abstract

The fossil fuel dominated South African energy industry is undergoing significant transformation with introduction of renewable energy and clean coal technologies. Coal is the primary source of energy producing 88% of the total electricity generation and 40% liquid fuels. The study aimed to establish that the addition of cleaner energy sources would drive sustainability in the energy supply chain. Sustainability is the underpinning theory and a qualitative methodology was pursued. The energy industry professionals were interviewed, data transcribed and thematically interpreted via content analysis. The results established that the addition of cleaner sources of energy increased the consistency of energy supply, reduced power outages, and reduced carbon emissions drastically, rendering the energy supply chain more sustainable.