A CONSTRAINED SOUTH AFRICAN ELECTRICITY SUPPLY CHAIN: WHAT’S NEXT?

The South Africa’s over-reliance on fossil-fuels for electricity generation, has transformed the nation into a carbon economy, with a heavy carbon footprint, and is among the global top carbon emitters. The aging coal-fired power stations has coincided with the era of deteriorating climate change, while the fossil-fuels are targeted for discontinuation. This study explored the constraints of electricity supply chain that culminated into power outages since 2008 due to perpetual breakdown of the aged coal-fired power stations. The participants in the study were managers from the state-owned entity generating electricity from coal and independent power producers (IPPs) generating electricity from renewable sources of energy. Qualitative research methodology and constructivism research paradigm were pursued, and theories of competitive advantage and sustainable development underpinned the study. The conducted interviews were recorded, transcribed, and the emanating data was interpreted, coded and content analysis used for analysis. The results provided recommendations for urgent need in hiring maintenance expertise for the aged coal-fired power stations, expediting renewable sources of energy development, and reforming national energy policy under “Just Energy Transition” strategy.