(Academy of Science of South Africa, 2012-01-26) Meincken, Martina
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Africa, as a developing continent, is in a position to learn from the mistakes of the developed
world. In terms of energy production, instead of trying to meet its requirements with fossil fuels
alone, it should aim to implement renewable energy strategies wherever possible in the course of
extending supply to its people. In terms of connectivity, the situation differs from the developed
world in that a large proportion of the population (typically outside urban centres) is not
connected to the electricity grid. This proportion varies from about 10% connectivity in Uganda
to nearly 100% in Mauritius. In South Africa, about 35% of the population are not connected to the
main grid, and these are mostly people living in remote rural areas.