Towards achieving sustainable development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through a transition to decentralised energy systems in South Africa

In a decentralised system, energy-producing facilities are located closer to the location of energy consumption. A Decentralized Energy system decreases the need for fossil fuels, boosts eco-efficiency, and enables the best possible use of renewable energy sources and combined heat and power. The world is moving closer to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, yet many countries in the developing world continue to face mounting power challenges resulting in constant load-shedding. This is despite the fact that energy efficiency is on the verge of advancing and renewable energy is making significant progress in the electricity industry. This study seeks to determine the role and significance of a transition to a Decentralized Energy system in achieving sustainable development goal number 7. The study found that Decentralized Energy system provides a plethora of benefits to communities, for instance, local communities under decentralised energy system have an alternative that is less expensive than the centralized national grid, and they can assist generate employment opportunities in the community. The paper concludes that even though microgrids powered by renewable energy have significantly increased access to clean energy in developing world, maintaining the microgrids' capacity to operate sustainably remains a challenge. Key Words:Decentralised Energy System, Power Generation, Sustainable Energy Generation, Sustainable Development Goals, South Africa