Beyond the Grid: The Micropolitics of Off-Grid Energy in Qandu-Qandu, South Africa

Abstract

In this paper, we argue using smart technologies beyond the grid disrupts the access and use of existing energy sources, with profound impacts on everyday social life. We show how off-grid smart energy solutions constitute their own politics when considering existing conceptualisations of urban infrastructures in geography and the social sciences. To expose its politics, or “micropolitics”, we consider how tensions occur at the interface between infrastructures, where there are additions and modifications. We draw on an empirical example of Qandu-Qandu, an informal settlement in South Africa, to highlight how the placement, technical capabilities, and flexible financing options associated with off-grid solar energy create micropolitics with profound implications for everyday life. To conclude, we reflect on the value of using disruptions for understanding and enhancing equity in off-grid settings, contributing to the broader sustainability transitions narrative, and its “liveliness”.