Chakwizira, JamesIngwani, EmaculateNetshilema, Phathutshedzo2026-06-182026-06-182026-05-19Netshilema, P. 2026. Renewable energy use in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns: A case of Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa. . .https://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/11602/3214ESMURPDepartment of Urban and Regional PlanningThe world is experiencing energy crisis, which is narrowing the path to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to International Energy Agency (IEA, 2024, p. 20) 750 million people predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa remain without access to electricity, with the slow pace of energy service provision and load shedding to cope with increasing demand, further exacerbated by climate change implications, the prospects of universal energy services by 2030 are impossible. Therefore, this study explores renewable energy use in small rural towns with a view to promote sustainable human settlements, focusing on Thohoyandou, a small rural town within Thulamela Local Municipality in Limpopo province, South Africa. This study sought to 1) explore renewable energy use challenges in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns, 2) assess renewable energy use opportunities in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns, and 3) develop a spatial renewable energy framework for sustainable human settlements in small rural towns. An exploratory research design forms the foundation of this study. The research engages with a diverse population encompassing various groups impacted by energy systems. Convenient and Purposive sampling techniques are used in selecting targeted respondents. A population of 150 Thohoyandou town households was sampled, with 15 Key Informant Interviewees. A combination of both primary and secondary data collection methods is utilized in this study. Data was collected through questionnaires (closed and open-ended questions), observation, interviews (accompanied by an interview guide), desktop review of secondary data from municipal documents, government reports, journal articles, and the internet. Data gathered was analysed through triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. Instruments such as Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 and Microsoft Excel were employed to analyse and clean data. The findings showed that small rural towns, particularly Thohoyandou is facing energy access challenges such as frequent power outages with a mean of (3.90). The study recommended development of policies that prioritise the use of RE in small rural towns. In conclusion, the challenges of RE use can be solved by introducing alternative RE power, which is affordable, clean and easily available to provide sustainable human settlements.1 online resource (132 leaves): color illustrations, color mapsenUniversity of VendaRenewable EnergyUCTDSustainable Human SettlementsAffordable ElectricitySustainable Development GoalsDissertationNetshilema P. Renewable energy use in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns: A case of Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa. []. , 2026 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from:Netshilema, P. (2026). <i>Renewable energy use in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns: A case of Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa</i>. (). . Retrieved fromNetshilema, Phathutshedzo. <i>"Renewable energy use in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns: A case of Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa."</i> ., , 2026.TY - Dissertation AU - Netshilema, Phathutshedzo AB - The world is experiencing energy crisis, which is narrowing the path to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). According to International Energy Agency (IEA, 2024, p. 20) 750 million people predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa remain without access to electricity, with the slow pace of energy service provision and load shedding to cope with increasing demand, further exacerbated by climate change implications, the prospects of universal energy services by 2030 are impossible. Therefore, this study explores renewable energy use in small rural towns with a view to promote sustainable human settlements, focusing on Thohoyandou, a small rural town within Thulamela Local Municipality in Limpopo province, South Africa. This study sought to 1) explore renewable energy use challenges in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns, 2) assess renewable energy use opportunities in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns, and 3) develop a spatial renewable energy framework for sustainable human settlements in small rural towns. An exploratory research design forms the foundation of this study. The research engages with a diverse population encompassing various groups impacted by energy systems. Convenient and Purposive sampling techniques are used in selecting targeted respondents. A population of 150 Thohoyandou town households was sampled, with 15 Key Informant Interviewees. A combination of both primary and secondary data collection methods is utilized in this study. Data was collected through questionnaires (closed and open-ended questions), observation, interviews (accompanied by an interview guide), desktop review of secondary data from municipal documents, government reports, journal articles, and the internet. Data gathered was analysed through triangulation of both qualitative and quantitative analysis methods. Instruments such as Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28.0 and Microsoft Excel were employed to analyse and clean data. The findings showed that small rural towns, particularly Thohoyandou is facing energy access challenges such as frequent power outages with a mean of (3.90). The study recommended development of policies that prioritise the use of RE in small rural towns. In conclusion, the challenges of RE use can be solved by introducing alternative RE power, which is affordable, clean and easily available to provide sustainable human settlements. DA - 2026-05-19 DB - ResearchSpace DP - Univen KW - Renewable Energy KW - Sustainable Human Settlements KW - Affordable Electricity KW - Sustainable Development Goals LK - https://univendspace.univen.ac.za PY - 2026 T1 - Renewable energy use in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns: A case of Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa TI - Renewable energy use in sustaining human settlements in small rural towns: A case of Thulamela Local Municipality, Limpopo Province South Africa UR - ER -