Saliem Fakir - Low Carbon Future
US shale extraction and the mirage that was
20th February 2015 Unconventional reserves, unlike cheap conventional sources, remain vulnerable to market conditions, technology and geological characteristics.... →
Renewables-related job creation
By: Saliem Fakir 30th January 2015 Most jobs in renewables are created during installation. This is not different from constructing a soccer stadium or building the next Carlton... →
What to do about the South African economy
By: Saliem Fakir 23rd January 2015 Improving the performance of, and labour participation in, the primary sectors of the South African and the manufacturing sector should be... →
Denmark’s green technology export thrust
By: Saliem Fakir 7th November 2014 I was invited by the Danish Embassy in South Africa to undertake a study tour of the Nordic country with fellow South Africans. There were 12 of us... →
South Africa in the Brics – opportunity or a lost cause?
By: Saliem Fakir 3rd October 2014 The Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) meeting held in Fortaleza, Brazil, in July, ended with the establishment of the Brics... →
Future urban centres and role of innovative city planning for energy systems
By: Saliem Fakir 5th September 2014 After a long process of consultation, the Integrated Urban Development Framework (IDUF) has been released for further discussion and debate. The... →
Living wages, living allowances and the platinum strike
By: Saliem Fakir 18th July 2014 Debates on living wages or minimum wages are not unique to South Africa. You will find similar debates in France, the UK and the US following a... →
Electricity generation and future prices
By: Saliem Fakir 4th July 2014 Living with an electricity monopoly mandated to provide basic services is always a double-edged sword. If it is well run and efficient, it can be a... →
Four reasons why nuclear is dead beat 
By: Saliem Fakir 30th May 2014 I attended a recent Academy of Science of South Africa (Assaf) conference on nuclear power in Pretoria. It brought to fore the mountain of... →
What should we make of the economics of US shale gas industry?
By: Saliem Fakir 9th May 2014 There is heightened activity on the shale-gas front. Government is pushing ahead with hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, and the Department of... →
