Recent developments with regard to the field of biofuels in South Africa have shown that the Government is very keen to encourage greater activity in this sector.

The mainstream economy of South Africa is highly dependent on fossil fuels such as coal. As a result South Africa is a significant global contributor to greenhouse gases. In 1998 it was estimated that South Africa produced 1.4% of global CO2 emissions (Parallax).

In order to start addressing issues around biofuel, the South African Department of Minerals and Energy (DME) developed an energy efficiency strategy in 2005 which proposed a range of approaches to reduce energy consumption and therefore limit GHG emissions. In parallel, more widespread adoption of appropriate renewable energy is being encouraged by DME, with a particular focus on biofuels. Biofuels is one specific issue that has been taken forward by the Department of Minerals and Energy and, at the beginning of January 2007, DME announced that the South African cabinet had approved an ambitious biofuels industrial strategy. This sets bold targets, including the aim for 4.5% of road transport fuels in South Africa to be replaced with biofuels by 2013. This will require a significant and comprehensive effort to establish agricultural producers and production plants.

Demonstration of the potential for biofuels in South Africa is one key step in the process to inform national strategy development and to set appropriate targets. South African synthetic fuels company, Sasol, which pioneered the use of petrol and diesel from coal and natural gas, announced their participation in November 2006. In a joint effort with the government's Central Energy Fund they will build a biodiesel production plant based on soya beans.

However, in addition to considering large-scale industrial production capacity for biofuels in South Africa, the demand on biofuels resources from poor communities is a significant factor for future policy. While the mainstream economy of South Africa is very reliant on fossil fuels, the 2001 Census of South Africa revealed that many poorer South African still use wood for heating (24.6% of households) and cooking (20.5% of households). This high reliance on bioenergy places significant pressure on the natural resource base. Energy solutions are required for poorer households that are efficient, affordable and sustainable.

This national concern for the sustainable development of biofuels has recently been echoed at a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) General Council meeting in Nairobi, Kenya (6 February 2007). The Danish environment minister Connie Hedegaard said at this meeting that environmental standards were vital for international trade in biofuels. Hedegaard suggested that not all biofuel is good for the environment and the focus should be on biofuels produced from the by-products of food crops, such as sugarcane, rather than crops grown purely for biofuel production. This is a key issue to address in South Africa where the fuel versus food debate over land use is a potential cause of great conflict.

Environmentalists are very cautious, expressing concerns over the introduction to South Africa of a potentially invasive plant. There is a need for more investigation to make informed decisions. One key source has been an academic institute in Darwin, Australia, which has warned the Department of Agriculture and Environmental Affairs (DAEA) of the invasiveness of Jatropha.

Jatropha is already present in South Africa. The National Department of Agriculture has declined previous requests for imports of Jatropha, though there is evidence to suggest that the plant is growing in Zululand, KZN. Though permits are required for any application of new plants to previously cultivated land or virgin territory, DAEA believes that vast areas are already planted with Jatropha.

A possible alternative to Jatropha is a plant called Maringa, though again there is little knowledge of this source. Early indications suggested that biodiesel production may yield more oil from Maringa, though yet again DAEA has insufficient information to make any valid assessment.

The political position towards Jatropha has been strengthened by a national government initiative to support biodiesel production. The national department is pushing Jatropha use for biodiesel, linking this to poverty alleviation. The benefits from job creation (particularly for farmers), as well as the use of the end product, are seen very positively. In addition to the oil produced from Jatropha, the cake remaining after the seeds are processed is a good fertilizer. One concern however is that the seeds are highly flammable and therefore the process should not be located near to any sugar or paper producing operations (two of the major industries currently operating in KZN).

In general, the use of biodiesel for energy generation has been given a positive reception from environmentalists at DAEA, though it is clear that further consideration is required. Of particular significance is the growing public interest in the use of biodiesel.

Parallax