South Africa’s Renewable Energy Pivot: Hurdles, Hope, and the Road Ahead

Beyond the Grid: Pinging power from farms to factories

Solar power moves virtually from farmland in North West province to factories hundreds of kilometres away. How does it work, and what does it mean for the country’s energy transition? Nthusang Lefafa investigates Photos and videos: Ihsaan Haffejee Virtual wheeling: The Selemela Solar Park in Lichtenburg, North West, generates and sells electricity to other parts of the country via a wheeling agreement. Pictured here is plant manager Tebogo Tong.…

How South Africa’s Shift from Coal to Renewables Is Going in 2025

Just over 74% of South Africa’s electricity still comes from burning coal. In 2021, the country negotiated the Just Energy Transition Partnership with Germany, the UK, France, the US and the European Union. They committed to providing South Africa with US$8.5 billion (R157 billion) to move away from coal to renewable energy. (In March 2025, […]

South Africa’s renewable energy pivot: Hurdles, hope, and the road ahead

According to Kyle Durham, Sustainability Head at FNB Commercial, the shift away from fossil fuels is both a critical challenge and a unique opportunity.