Extractive legacies, local struggles, and the pursuit of social justice
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: South Africa’s transition to renewable energy, including green hydrogen development, is positioned as a pathway to sustainability and economic growth. However, this transition is characterised by persistent socio-economic inequalities, infrastructural limitations, and unevenly distributed benefits. This article critically examines the socio-political implications of large-scale renewable energy projects, particularly in historically marginalised regions such as the Northern Cape province. Employing an energy justice framework, the study explores how corporate-led energy transitions risk reinforcing patterns of resource dispossession and exclusion, rather than fostering equitable development. By interrogating the tensions between national energy ambitions and local realities, the paper highlights the need for greater institutional capacity, meaningful community engagement, and policy interventions that prioritise energy justice. The findings stress the importance of moving beyond extractivist paradigms to ensure a just and inclusive energy transition.
Author: Stephanie Borchardt
Institution: Stellenbosch University
Language: English
Subfield: Sociology and Political Science
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4414913874
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: