South Africa’s energy crisis

South Africa faces a huge energy crisis, with widespread power cuts
since the start of the year signalling an electricity shortage that will
take several more years to resolve. The power cuts have had a major
impact on the economy and the jobs of those who depend on it. One thing
is now clear. The days of cheap and plentiful energy have gone. David
Fig will talk to the new debate on energy in South Africa, which
includes investment in renewable energy sources, plans for new nuclear
power plants, and the future of energy-intensive industries.

With coal and other fossil fuel prices at record highs, and nuclear
power beset with major environmental and security concerns, the lecture
will be of interest to anyone looking to understand the future politics
of energy, and debates on development in sub-Saharan Africa.

David Fig is a South African environmental sociologist and political
economist. He holds a PhD from the London School of Economics, and is a
specialist in questions of energy, trade, biodiversity, and corporate
responsibility. His recent books include /Staking their Claims:
Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility in South Africa/ (UKZN
Press, 2007) and /Uranium Road: Questioning South Africa's Nuclear
Direction/ (Jacana, 2005). He works closely with various environmental
justice NGOs and chairs the board of Biowatch South Africa
.

The lecture is held to commemorate the life of Basker Vashee (1944-2005), a Zimbabwean activist and scholar who was director of the
Amsterdam-based Transnational Institute (TNI) from 1977 to 1987, and a
TNI Fellow until the end of his life.

Further information and interview requests

Dr Fig will be in Amsterdam and available to the media between 22 and 24
June.
Please contact Andrea at andrea@tni.org or 020-6626608