+27 11 776 4300
The tourism sector in South Africa is expected to grow to nearly ZAR 268 billion (or 4.3% of the total economy) in 2024. And the projected market value for global ecotourism is roughly US$249.16 billion for 2024.
Ecotourism is a sector of tourism that we need to embrace. Adopting alternative energy sources can be challenging, but by aligning our goals with global sustainability trends, we can amplify destinations’ appeal to a truly international audience.
Impact on Eco-Tourism
The integration of alternative energy in eco-tourism reduces the environmental impact of tourism and enhances the authenticity of the eco-tourism experience.
International traveler’s increasingly seek destinations prioritizing sustainability, making these alternative energy-powered operations more attractive.
But before we discuss the alternative energy solutions powering our ecotourism sector, let’s consider the pros and cons.
Pros and Cons of Adopting Ecotourism Solutions
Adopting environmentally friendly energy solutions has pros and cons. And it can significantly change the establishments’ sustainability, and economic viability, and the visitor experience at tourist destinations.
Pros of Adopting Alternative Energy
One of the benefits of assimilating alternative energy solutions is that it will automatically reduce your establishment’s carbon footprint.
Energy sources like solar, wind, or hydropower will reduce your carbon footprint, preserve natural resources, and promote your establishment’s conservation effort.
It may take time, but another pro is the economic benefit. Eventually, these newly constructed renewable energy solutions will pay themselves off by lowering your energy and operating costs.
Another significant economic benefit of utilizing an alternative energy solution is that environmentally friendly solutions will increase tourist appeal and sustainability.
Cons of Adopting Alternative Energy
While the world is keen to adopt cleaner energy solutions, they are expensive. Also, sourcing the capital to invest in these alternative energy solutions can be tricky but not impossible in our local environment, with many banks helping with finance.
Another contributing factor to the high cost of investing in alternative solutions is the need for technical experience and infrastructure investment. This includes purchasing
- Power generating sources
- Inverters
- And storage capacity
Lastly, alternative energy sources depend on weather conditions, resulting in inconsistent energy supplies.
However, you can invest in more batteries to get you through the cloudy or windless periods, or invest in a hybrid system where both wind and sun resources can be combined in one solution.
Now that we’ve discussed the pros and cons of using alternative energy sources let’s highlight how alternative energy can and does power ecotourism in South Africa.
Solar Power
South Africa is blessed to be a sunny country, making solar a popular choice for alternative energy.
And with South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis entering its 17th year, many tourist destinations have had to invest in alternative power-generating methods to keep the lights on.
However, many eco-lodges in Mzansi are in remote areas, where establishment owners were always forced use off-grid solar power systems to generate electricity for the modern amenities, such as warm water and electric lights.
Creating this independent energy source is necessary for an eco-lodge as it also helps reduce any establishment’s reliance on fossil fuels. As an example, Sun City is expanding its solar power capacity to the palace roof, and many other destinations are looking to minimize their carbon footprint for the greater good.
Wind Power
Conditions along South Africa’s coastal region can be incredibly windy, which makes it a perfect opportunity for tourism destinations to invest in small-scale wind turbine solutions.
One such South African tourist hotspot is the renowned V&A Waterfront. In May 2024, with the help of LuvSide GmbH (a producer of small LS Double Helix wind turbines), the V&A Waterfront inaugurated four units.
The partnership between the tourist powerhouse and the German company has led to the development of plans to expand the role of wind power in the local economy.
While not yet widely used in South Africa, wind turbines will hopefully become affordable for everyone.
Mini Hydropower
Another energy alternative that is on the cusp of becoming mainstream is the concept of mini hydropower plants. South Africa has several large and rapidly flowing rivers that could tap into this green power solution.
The Kruisvallei Hydroelectric Power Generation Scheme, also known as Kruisvallei Hydro, is a 4MW small-hydroelectric plant that currently powers more than 1916 households in the Clarens and Kgubetswana region.
Tapping into the majestic Ash River, the power station has had a low impact on its surrounding environment.
Electric Vehicles
Game drives are a significant tourist drawcard, so it makes sense for game reserves to invest in electric safari vehicles powered by renewable energy sources.
As mentioned, solar power is already a well-adopted alternative energy source, which means visitors can hop into a fully charged e-vehicle, even in the most remote destinations.
Electric vehicles are great for viewing wildlife. They operate in relative silence and emit no harmful gases, making them an outright winner.
However, no matter what alternative power source you utilize for your establishment, you will need to store the power somehow.
We offer some power storage solutions, so feel free to contact us today to start your journey to adopting an alternative energy source.