A Comprehensive Overview and Promotion of Bioenergy Systems for Social Development in South Africa

The need for energy demand is dependent on the worldwide growth in population which keeps on rising exponentially. South Africa as part of the global arena is currently experiencing a major problem in generating electricity nationally. Eskom the entrusted company to supply electricity has over the years been generating power through burning coal. Faced with a huge energy consumption the country has become the leading carbon dioxide CO2 emitter in Africa and the 12th largest worldwide. Biofuels and other alternative fuels have the potential to reduce the nation's dependence on imported fuels which currently stands at 70% of the petroleum consumed. In order to lower pollution levels South Africa has established several Biofuel policies and mandates such as the Biofuel Industrial strategy aimed at promoting the production and use of Biomass fuels. The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview, development trends and concretization of bioenergy in South Africa. The factors used in the design and implementation of energy policies regarding bioenergy is also discussed. The paper further exhibits the usefulness of biofuels in the management of the environment and integration of bioenergy as an essential contribution to the eco-system re-equilibrium.