The Energy Council of South Africa has launched a communications campaign dubbed ‘Energise Mzansi’, which it says will seek to improve “energy transition literacy” amid rapid structural changes in the sector and ongoing supply insecurity and rising affordability risks.

CEO James Mackay says that through the campaign the council aims to “connect South Africans with the factual information they need to make sense of the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities presented by the energy transition”.

“Energy literacy is more than just understanding the basics, it’s the foundation for informed decision-making, constructive collaboration, and ultimately driving investment and economic growth through gained public positive sentiment,” he adds.

The council, which includes Eskom and Sasol among its members, alongside miners, energy developers, oil and gas groups and financiers, has been a key participant in the National Energy Crisis Committee set up to tackle loadshedding and to accelerate market reforms.

It reports that through Energise Mzansi it will seek to provide information related to six technical themes, including:

• making the case for approaching energy as an integrated system;
• outlining South Africa’s emissions obligations and the country’s exposure to carbon taxes and carbon border adjustments;
• examining coal’s role in South Africa’s energy mix;
• exploring the role of gas in South Africa’s future energy system;
• evaluating the scaling up of renewables and storage; and
• understanding unfolding energy market reforms, including how a competitive wholesale electricity market can unlock investment and drive efficiency.

A dedicated website, at www.energycouncil.org.za/mzansi, has been set up to support the campaign, which will also be promoted through a mix of traditional and digital media platforms.