The South African National Energy Development Institute (SANEDI) commissioned the University of Johannesburg’s Process, Energy and Environmental Technology Station (UJ PEETS) to take stock of the current status of micro-digesters and the wider state of the technology in South Africa and globally.
UJ PEETS, together with the DSI/NRF/Newton Fund Trilateral Research Chair in Transformative Innovation, the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Sustainable Development (UJ-TRCTI), conducted research over the period of two years, with significant levels of stakeholder engagement that has culminated in the development of a Sector Development Plan (SDP). This Plan outlines three pathways that the micro-digester sector in South Africa can take to ensure growth and sustainability of the sector by 2030. The first pathway focuses on increasing uptake of this technology in rural areas. The second pathway looks to pilot micro-digester use in urban areas, especially urban gardens, food establishments and small housing developments. The third pathway is cross-cutting and focuses on actions to create a supportive enabling environment relating to skills and training, financing, regulation and policy.
SDP VALIDATION WORKSHOP
On 24 March 2022 an online validation workshop was held of the SDP. This workshop bought together 34 stakeholders from the micro-digester business community, academia and allied organizations who will be ‘primary action owners’ to activities being promoted in the SDP. Prof. Rebecca Hanlin from UJ-TRCTI and the lead author of the SDP presented the final document and received feedback on the plan from the stakeholders present. Prof. Hanlin noted that this plan provides an opportunity to revitalize the micro-digester sector which has been lagging behind other green energy solutions in South Africa. Comments received from stakeholders appreciated the focus of the SDP beyond rural energy access and recognizing the multi-modal solution nature of the technology. They also emphasized the need for the SDP to strongly outline how demand can be created and the need for greater focus on facilitator policy activities.
IMPACT | OUTCOME
If the pathways are progressed the country has the potential to significantly reduce rural energy poverty, urban organic waste to landfill as well as boost employment and business opportunities. The potential size of the sector is estimated to be 21,000 units initially, followed by a maximum annual demand potential of 54,000 units.