Energy as the key to sustainable development in megacities using the example of Johannesburg, South Africa ...

The "megacities" of tomorrow will play an important role in the transition to globally sustainable development. The solution to energy issues (including security of supply, fair access to energy resources, environmentally friendly supply and use of energy) plays a key role in this and is a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development.

The ENERKEY project developed solutions - equally for the technical, ecological and socio-economic dimensions - that were intended to strengthen the sustainable development of the target region of Johannesburg/Gauteng in the long term. Based on the use of a portfolio of decision-support tools and models, the project initiated projects whose successful implementation should substantially improve the relevant sustainability indicators and lead to replication projects. The project took into account the ALEP approach (advanced local energy planning), which combines solutions for sustainable energy supply and utilisation with a participatory discussion and decision-making process involving all relevant groups and decision-makers. In addition, a key component of the project was to familiarise local stakeholders and decision-makers with the approach and objectives of such an approach and to promote regular integration and implementation in the target region (capacity building).

For the modular modelling approach, the local energy system data was first collected and the effects of measures were determined on the basis of scenarios. Conclusions and recommendations on sensible and effective measures for the sustainable development of the city were drawn from the data analysis. After the initial implementation of individual energy projects (e.g. savings measures, use of renewable energy in schools or administrative buildings), measures were increasingly developed at an integrated level for policy and decision-makers, which improved sustainable development and its measurable indicators for the target region. The measures, recommendations and best-practice examples were transferred to suitable information media and disseminated.

The two-year introductory phase essentially served to establish contacts, validate the approach using a case study, collect data availability and prepare for further project preparation. The project was represented by German and South African partners, who covered the relevant areas in an interdisciplinary manner and contributed a wide range of practical project experience. The partnership between the cities of Stuttgart and Johannesburg formed the backbone of the consortium.