Policy to power: Ten actions to deliver green, accessible and secure electricity
South Africa is at a pivotal moment in electricity reform. After more than a century of monopoly control, the country is moving towards a multi-market electricity model designed to unlock the investment needed to deliver a least-cost, resilient power system – one that can support rapid economic growth while creating increased competitiveness through lower energy […]
Fostering a just energy transition: A framework for policy design
As the energy transition progresses and the technological, economic and social contexts in which it is embedded evolve, policymakers need to work iteratively, both within and across borders, to design an ecosystem of policies and institutions that support justice. A just energy transition is not a one-off effort; it is both a process and an […]
Community Engagement: A Key Lever For Pursuing & Enabling More Just Outcomes In The Energy Transition In South Africa
This report details the ENGAGE initiative piloted by the Cultiver Group over 18 months in two South African communities, one in the Western Cape (Laingsburg) and one in the Northern Cape (Sutherland). To address the gaps in communication between RE project host communities and project owners, a toll-free community hotline was set up to support […]
Community and social inclusion in RE projects in SA
This policy brief is based on South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), which is implemented at the national level. However, the lessons presented are considered to have potential relevance at the municipal level as well. This resource provides lessons learnt and associated recommendations from South Africa’s efforts to incorporate community development […]
Electricity reform in South Africa: Implications and opportunities for municipalities
This study assesses how electricity reform impacts the municipal electricity business model, focusing on financial sustainability, operational readiness, socio-economic mandates, and long-term strategic positioning. In South Africa, a typology-based scenario analysis shows that without targeted support, many municipalities, particularly smaller and under-resourced ones, risk falling behind. Progressive metros, however, are well-positioned to lead through IPP […]
The role of municipalities with the introduction of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act
The Electricity Regulation Amendment Act (ERAA) marks a transformative shift in South Africa’s energy landscape, aiming to foster a more competitive and decentralised electricity market. It builds on interim reforms introduced since 2021, which initially allowed private generation projects of up to 100 MW without requiring a license from the National Energy Regulator of South […]
Financing and ownership models for municipal embedded generation: Guidance for South African municipalities
Municipalities in South Africa face intersecting challenges in the electricity sector. These include increasing electricity costs, unstable supply, and decreasing revenue as users opt for own-generation solutions. Embedded generation, which is the production of electricity at a local site and connected to the local electricity grid, presents potential solutions at the municipal scale. It can […]
MFMA Circular 118
South Africa’s National Treasury undertook, this legal and regulatory framework analysis with respect to the establishment or procurement of new generation capacity by municipalities and municipal entities. The objective is to provide guidance that will assist municipalities and municipal entities in enabling and informing the procurement of new generation capacity in a competitive, fair, cost […]