Energy for Development Research Centre, Univerisity of Cape Town, South Africa

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Background, mission and goals

Vision and goals

1. To be a leading African energy and development policy research, consultancy, and capacity-building institution.
2. To deepen knowledge and understanding of the energy and development needs and challenges in South Africa, SADC and the rest of Africa, and to search for innovative responses.
3. To contribute to improved social equity, economic efficiency, and environmental sustainability in the energy sector, through public-interest advocacy and understanding for policy-making and implementation.
4. To educate, train and develop human resources in the energy field.

Brief profile of EDRC

1. University-based, and committed to high quality, targeted and useful research.
2. Comprises over fifteen researchers in engineering, science, and social sciences, supported by an administrative staff and postgraduates.
3. In addition, EDRC can draw staff from relevant faculties in the university as well as research associates.
4. Undertakes mainly policy research supported by empirical investigations and ensure results are communicated appropriately.
5. An educational and training resource for the energy and development sector in Africa.
6. EDRC is housed in the Engineering & the Built Environment faculty of the University of the Cape Town.

Approach, organisational programmes and activities:

General functional areas

1. Research - improved policies and implementation
2. Consultancy
3. Advocacy and information dissemination
4. Academic supervision and teaching
5. Training

Current areas of research

1. Energy and climate change
2. Energy, markets and governance
3. Energy, poverty and development
4. Rural energy development

1. Development of climate change and energy strategies for the World Summit on Sustainable Development, for the SA government.
2. Analysis of sustainable development and climate change in South and Southern Africa Analysis of economic, social and environmental implications of the proposed 'poverty tariff' free electricity programme.
3. Assessment of the impact of energy sector restructuring on the poor in selected developing countries.
4. Synthesis of energy and development strategies for Africa based on extensive case study analysis by multi-country research network.
5. Valuation of potential climate change impacts on SA Support capacity building for potential CDM project developers in SA, as part of MEPC-led project including a CDM Guidebook for project developers.
6. Case studies of the social and economic impact of electrification on rural communities.
7. Policy support for the implementation of the South African off-grid electrification programme and analysis of the social, economic and environmental impacts of the programme.
8. Monitoring and evaluation of Eskom demand-side management initiatives, with a focus on the Efficient Lighting Initiative.
9. Support for South African petroleum policy development and analysis of wide range of national and international petroleum policy issues.
10. Helping poor rural communities improve their energy supplies and energy use, in ways that support integrated sustainable rural development. The project seeks to improve linkages between national policies and implementation programmes, and local communities' energy needs. Phase 1, DANCED).

Overall institutional structure