No wind turbines were connected to South Africa’s grid in 2022, inhibiting progress toward solving load-shedding and fossil fuel price volatility.

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

The mission of the Department of Energy is to “regulate and transform the sector for the provision of secure, sustainable and affordable energy”.

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 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.

The South African government’s commitment to fast-track water use licence applications is good news for independent power producers, a law firm says.