On 26th May 2010, an introductory “Sustainable Energy Research” seminar was hosted by Imagine Durban and the Energy Office. The response from stakeholders was overwhelming.

 

Over 90 stakeholders attended the seminar, indicating a strong interest and need for such meetings. Discussions revolved around ways in which to generally advance the Sustainable Energy (SE) sector within Durban and the wider KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province. There was consensus on the need to address the lack of integration and communication between government, private business, research institutions, donor organisations and other stakeholders in the KZN SE sector.

As a result the KwaZulu-Natal Sustainable Energy Forum (KSEF) was formed to meet the obvious need for information dissemination, networks, and oversight and accountability for the governance of this sector. It was agreed that the Energy Office and Imagine Durban would write a terms of reference (TOR) for the forum, which was then tabled and accepted by those present at the second Forum Meeting.

 

KSEF has been established as an independent body, with seed funding from both eThekwini’s Energy Office and UNIDO. These funds allow for the appointment of a KSEF Manager, and also afford the costs of quarterly Forum Meetings. The first and former KSEF Manager was Chris Bellingham.

The primary role of the Forum Meetings, which take place every three months, is to introduce and discuss current and future SE projects and research taking place in KZN, and thereafter guide and coordinate the effective implementation of these SE projects. Furthermore, it is hoped that the dialogue and initiatives of KSEF will improve economic productivity, increase local production and invest in further research into sustainable energy solutions for KwaZulu-Natal.

 

In this way, KSEF will continue to be at the forefront of sustainable energy opportunities and solutions in KZN.