Renewable energy in South Africa's minerals-energy complex: a ‘low carbon’ transition?

This paper questions the extent to which the introduction of utility-scale, privately generated renewable energy into South Africa's coal-dominated electricity supply can be considered a ‘low-carbon transition’. Rather, the renewable energy projects in question are embedded within and contribute to South Africa's high-carbon, electricity-intensive ‘minerals–energy complex’. An empirical consideration is provided of some of the stakeholders involved in the implementation of the wind industry in South Africa, and the possibilities and pitfalls for its long-term sustainability.