Dr Nhundu Kenneth
Country (Nationality)
South Africa
Grantee Title
Areas of research interest: Climate Change Issues; Renewable Energy Food & Nutrition Security; Agricultural & Rural Development; New Institutional Economics; Agricultural Water Resources Management; Waste Management and Recycling
Grantee Description
Home Institution University of Fort Hare, South Africa
Host Institution University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Summary of research
The demand for energy to meet social and economic development and improve human welfare and health, is increasing. Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from the energy services have contributed significantly to the historic increase in atmospheric GHG concentrations (IPCC, 2011). Reducing GHG from the energy system require interventions such as energy efficiency and Renewable Energy (RE). On the other note, electricity prices are said to have doubled and are still on the increase in the last few years, yet there is a deficiency in exposing South Africa to alternatives such as green energy (Robbins, 2013).Furthermore, a large population in South Africa do not have basic access to energy and are dependent on biomass, paraffin and candles. Therefore, it is envisioned that the deployment of RE technologies can be a mitigation options and can contribute to social and economic development, energy access, a secure energy supply, and reducing negative impacts on the environment and health. The development and transition to solar energy will align with provincial priorities such as youth employment, etc. It is expected that the outcome of the projects shall mainly benefit the marginalized rural communities of Eastern Cape Province.