Guide to financing municipal energy transitions in South Africa
Municipalities in South Africa are operating within an electricity system that is undergoing a major transition. This transition has serious implications for how municipal electricity infrastructure is financed. As electricity markets evolve, municipal revenue models are changing, particularly as electricity sales become less predictable and new supply arrangements emerge. These shifts affect municipalities’ ability to […]
Localising the just energy transition (JET) through municipalities
South Africa’s electricity sector is undergoing one of the most significant transformations in its history. As new technologies, market participants, and energy models emerge, municipalities must navigate a complex, rapidly evolving landscape. This framework has been developed to help municipalities understand their role in the transition and to provide practical guidance on embedding the JET […]
EDI reform consultation Municipal IPP project preparation and procurement manual
The purpose of this Manual is to guide South African municipalities when engaging in the process of designing, preparing, procuring, and implementing a process for purchasing generated electricity from an IPP. The history of municipal IPP procurement in South Africa shows that while there is a strong interest by municipalities to increase their energy resilience […]
Unlocking Funding: How the City of Cape Town Built a Foundation for Sustainable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects
Public procurement framework for the municipal procurement
This guide supports South African municipalities in procuring renewable energy projects to reduce costs, enhance resilience, and contribute to a just energy transition aligned with national climate goals. It provides a practical framework covering legal, institutional, technical, financial, and procurement aspects necessary for successful municipal renewable energy implementation. Developed through collaboration with South African municipalities and […]
Social ownership models in the energy transition: Report for the Presidential Climate Commission
The objective of this study was to undertake an extensive literature review and stakeholder consultations on social ownership models for the energy transition, leading to the development of a work programme to blueprint viable models for diverse ownership of new electricity generation assets. The insights shared in this publication are applicable beyond South Africa. View […]
Municipal Power Purchase Agreement guideline
This guideline aims to provide South African municipalities with a clear and comprehensive framework for understanding, negotiating, and managing PPAs. It outlines the essential components, processes, and best practices to ensure that municipalities can effectively engage in PPAs to meet their energy needs and sustainability goals. View resource
Wholesale market and EDI reform updates and discussion:engaging from a local municipality perspective
Several critical transitions and processes are underway in the South African electricity sector, including the transition to a wholesale electricity market and reforms in municipal electricity distribution. Engagement with these complex and intertwined processes is important to ensure optimal socio-economic outcomes and municipal financial sustainability. This presentation unpacks what this reform means from a local […]
Electricity pricing and sector reform: A summary of key concepts and strategic
South Africa is undergoing a profound and complex transformation of its electricity sector. This transformation, while aligned with global trends, is intensified by local challenges, chief among them being historic underinvestment in infrastructure, an outdated structure (vertically integrated monopoly), Eskom’s financial instability, and persistent electricity supply shortages. As a result, the sector must attract substantial […]
Synthesis Report on The State of Readiness for the JET in Municipalities
This report evaluates the state of readiness of ten South African municipalities in their journey toward the Just Energy Transition (JET). The analysis is rooted in the objectives of achieving a low-carbon, climate-resilient economy while ensuring social equity and inclusivity. The report synthesises insights from diverse socio-economic and infrastructural contexts, reflecting the challenges and opportunities […]