Renewables
Climate protesters target African Energy Week in Cape Town
Environmental campaigners demonstrated outside the African Energy Week conference to demand an end to new fossil fuel projects.
Key points
- Climate activists picketed the energy conference in Cape Town on Tuesday.
- Protesters criticised the push for new oil and gas developments across the continent.
- South Africa defends natural gas as a complement to renewable energy sources.
What happened
According to Associated Press reporting, demonstrators gathered outside the African Energy Week venue in Cape Town to protest against ongoing fossil fuel expansion in Africa. Groups including Greenpeace Africa and Extinction Rebellion participated in the demonstration, arguing that new investments in oil and gas threaten vulnerable communities and accelerate climate change.
Police eventually removed the protesters from the site. Activists displayed banners and wore clothing criticising industry practices. Siya Myeza of Greenpeace Africa told the Associated Press that overseas energy firms generate substantial profits while negatively impacting local ecosystems and populations.
Why it matters
The demonstrations highlight growing tension between climate commitments and national energy strategies. South African authorities view hydrocarbon development as a pathway to attract investment and strengthen energy security. Officials maintain that gas-fired infrastructure can support power grids when output from wind and solar installations fluctuates.
Despite facing environmental opposition and legal challenges, companies such as Shell continue to pursue offshore resources, including plans for deepwater drilling off the western coast of the country. World Bank data shows that South Africa recorded a renewable share of electricity output of 6.4 percent in 2021, while electricity use per person stood at 3,308.2 kilowatt-hours in 2024.
What comes next
Campaigners argue that continued exploration contradicts international agreements aimed at lowering global emissions. Representatives from Extinction Rebellion stated that communities are already experiencing severe weather events, rising food costs, and displacement linked to environmental shifts, signalling that opposition to fossil fuel projects will persist as governments weigh energy access against climate targets.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
6.4% of electricity in South Africa was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
