- RE100 and local partner in South Africa, National Business Initiative (NBI), call on the South African government to speed up electricity market reforms, set clear renewable energy goals and make it easier for companies to buy clean power directly.
South Africa has made important recent renewables progress through the Energy Action Plan, the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, and the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM). However, full implementation of these plans, greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, and further reforms are essential to meet the country’s net zero goals.
The ‘RE100 – NBI: South Africa policy recommendations’ seek to increase access to renewable electricity, enhance energy security, reduce energy costs, and unleash jobs and green economic growth in South Africa.
They ask the government to:
- Accelerate electricity market reform to enable competitive renewables procurement.
- Strengthen integrated planning and renewable energy-based electricity targets to guide investment.
- Enable and scale direct corporate procurement through wheeling and standardised Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs).
- Fast-track the roll-out of transmission infrastructure and grid connections, and streamline project approvals.
- Expand voluntary green power options.
Corporates, like RE100 members, stand ready to invest in the country’s energy transition. The private sector is the leading consumer of electricity in the country, and over 100 RE100 members work in South Africa.
A recent Powering Up Business poll surveying 104 South African businesses across multiple economic sectors found that 95% of business executives in South Africa think that government should transition away from fossil fuels to a renewables-based electricity system, and 80% would rather the government prioritise renewable electricity investments over new fossil fuel financing.
The recommendations are based on inputs from the private sector, cities, provinces, technical experts, industry bodies and key national policymakers.
Link to the full report here: Climate Group 26090 RE100 – Policy Recommendations – South Africa 2025 – A4 ENG AW
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
