Research task on sustainable alternative energy sources in South Africa for Grade 12, covering problem statement, background, mapping, and data collection.

The learner needs to:

• Analyze why South Africa experiences load shedding and relies heavily on coal.
• Select a specific geographic area (e.g., their town).
• Explain the impact of electricity shortages on businesses or schools in that area.
• Identify a clean energy source (e.g., solar or wind).
• Formulate a clear research question on how this clean energy source could mitigate the problem in the chosen area.

The learner must:

• Describe the spatial context of South Africa's power grid.
• Discuss the country's dependency on coal.
• Compare the coal-fired power hub in Mpumalanga with the renewable energy potential in provinces like the Northern or Eastern Cape.

The learner is required to:

• Create an accurate Study Area Map.
• Correctly identify all nine provinces.
• Specifically highlight Mpumalanga as the coal-fired power hub.
• Ensure the map includes a Title, North Point, Scale, and Legend.

The learner must use at least three data collection methods, incorporating both primary and secondary sources.

• Primary Sources:
  • Questionnaires/Interviews: Conduct surveys with local residents or business owners to gather firsthand information on load shedding impacts and willingness to adopt alternative energy sources.
  • Field Observations: Assess the physical environment to identify suitable locations for renewable infrastructure, considering factors like unobstructed sunlight, high-altitude wind potential, or proximity to Eskom substations.
  • Photographs and Site Maps: Visually document the current energy landscape, including aging infrastructure or existing solar installations, and show potential for green development.
• Secondary Sources:
  • Literature and Map Analysis: Research existing data from the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP), Eskom's transmission reports, and official Solar/Wind Atlases to provide a scientific foundation for the investigation.