Energy Security in South America and Southern Africa: Synthesis Report

This briefing synthesizes a project on electricity supply and trade in Southern Africa and South America, focusing on the role of anchor states (South Africa and Brazil) in balancing energy security with climate change mitigation. It identifies technological lock-in and outdated institutional frameworks as primary barriers to transitioning to cleaner energy sources.

• The primary obstacles to achieving climate mitigation imperatives in South America and South Africa are identified as rigid technological pathways and outdated institutional and policy frameworks.
• Energy investments often create technological lock-ins that make transitioning to radically different energy sources, such as wind and solar, expensive and difficult without a comprehensive system-wide approach.
• Regional energy integration is presented as a superior alternative to national reliance, as it enables access to energy resources from neighboring countries at lower opportunity costs, provided that national geographic distribution challenges are overcome.

APA

Kiratu,, S. (2011). Energy Security in South America and Southern Africa: Synthesis Report. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/energy-security-south-america-and-southern-africa-synthesis-report

Chicago

Kiratu,, Sheila. Energy Security in South America and Southern Africa: Synthesis Report. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2011. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/energy-security-south-america-and-southern-africa-synthesis-report.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Kiratu, |first1=Sheila |title=Energy Security in South America and Southern Africa: Synthesis Report |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=1 March 2011 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/energy-security-south-america-and-southern-africa-synthesis-report |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{kiratu2011energy, author = {Kiratu,, Sheila}, title = {{Energy Security in South America and Southern Africa: Synthesis Report}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2011}, month = mar, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/energy-security-south-america-and-southern-africa-synthesis-report}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }