South Africa's Energy Transition

1. Introduction 2. Competing paradigms for understanding energy transitions The "natural" and "objective" constraints of coal? Socio-technical transitions: RE transitions as critical conjuncture Just transitions (JT), ecological, and critical political economy perspectives Conclusion 3. Eskom and the Dual Character of the South African State From MEC origins to apartheid crises Power Outrages, 2008 and after: From crisis of delivery to crisis of governance Conclusion 4. Non-RE alternative energies: nuclear, geothermal, fracking and offshore gas Geothermal energy, fracking, and offshore gas Nuclear energy: isihloko asivaliwe? Conclusion 5. REIPPPP: Renewables' Rise, or REIPPPP RIP? Conclusion 6. Conclusion: Just an Energy Transition - or a Just Transition? Just transitions: combining energy justice with community reconstruction Guaranteed full employment: achieving economic recovery with climate jobs A People's REFIT: a decentralised pathway to energy justice? Conclusions References