Evidence shows an additional 5 GW of renewable capacity could all but end load shedding and its associated socio-economic damage.

To address the power and climate crises, massive investments in transmission infrastructure and renewables are needed over the coming years.

Natural gas presents a risk to the success of the green energy transition, to the economy and to the country’s climate goals.

While fossil fuel prices soar, solar is the solution to affordable energy security, job creation and sustainable economic growth.

Renewable energy investment could go a long way to filling the gaps caused by retiring coal-fired power plants and would reduce the need for load shedding.

Food prices are affected by overall price inflation, but they are also an inflation driver in their own right.

While waiting for government measures to be implemented, many businesses are taking control of their own energy security through investment in solar.

Coal’s dominance in South Africa’s electricity mix – totalling 90 per cent of electricity generation – means the rising price of coal is making bills more expensive.

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is the regulatory body for the country’s energy industries. It regulates the electricity, gas and petroleum pipeline industries.

South Africa suffers from crippling power outages, locally known as load shedding. In the first three months of 2021, load shedding occurred for 650 hours.

The Independent Power Producers (IPP) procurement programme is part of the South African government’s answer to its energy generation shortage.

Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned electricity provider, is under severe strain. In July 2021, Eskom’s debt stood at about R400 billion.

Load shedding happens when selected sections of South Africa’s electricity grid are shut down. In literal terms, Eskom, the country’s power utility, “sheds” a certain “load” – or amount – of electricity from the national grid.