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The report outlines the growth of South Africa's utility-scale renewable energy market, driven by the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2019). It highlights a potential market value of R418 billion for solar PV, wind, and distributed generation by 2030. Key opportunities include the upcoming Bid Window 5, local manufacturing of PV panels and wind towers, and the deployment of utility-scale batteries. The document also discusses the unbundling of Eskom into generation, transmission, and distribution entities to improve market competition and transparency.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) submits that South Africa must urgently transition from coal to renewable energy due to the declining competitiveness of coal, severe health and environmental impacts, and extreme vulnerability to climate change. The CER argues against new coal and nuclear infrastructure, recommends the decommissioning of non-compliant coal plants, and calls for a transformation of Eskom into an organ of state promoting clean energy. It further emphasizes the need for meaningful public consultation in energy planning and warns against the continued operation of high-emission facilities like Sasol's Secunda complex.

The report evaluates the Thabametsi Power Station's impact on climate change and palaeontological heritage. It finds that the plant will have a 'High (Negative)' impact due to 'Very Large' annual GHG emissions of approximately 9.88 million t CO2e. While the plant's emissions intensity is slightly lower than some older Eskom plants slated for decommissioning, it remains high. The climate resilience assessment identifies water shortages and quality as high risks. The palaeontological assessment finds a medium risk of impact in the Swartrant Formation and low risk elsewhere, recommending monitoring by a palaeontologist during excavations.

The report inventories major energy subsidies in South Africa, detailing fiscal support for oil, gas, electricity, coal, and nuclear energy. It highlights a significant increase in total quantified subsidies, reaching ZAR 118,317 million in FY 2022/2023, driven largely by carbon tax exemptions. The document describes specific mechanisms such as VAT exemptions for fuels, Free Basic Electricity for disadvantaged households, and various grants for state-owned enterprises like PetroSA and Eskom.

This document is a variation of an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued on 31 March 2015 by the Nkangala District Municipality to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Komati Power Station. The licence, valid until 31 March 2019, regulates emissions from listed activities including solid fuel combustion, petroleum storage, and coal handling, while setting specific emission limits and monitoring requirements for particulate matter (PM), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx).

The Zondo Commission concluded that state capture occurred on an 'extensive scale' in South Africa, characterized by a network of public and private actors who systematically redirected state resources for private gain. The Commission estimated that approximately R57 billion in public funds were 'tainted' by state capture, with the vast majority originating from Eskom and Transnet. Key mechanisms included the manipulation of procurement processes, strategic appointments of complicit officials, and the weakening of law enforcement and oversight bodies. The report recommends the prosecution of high-profile individuals, the recovery of funds, and sweeping institutional reforms to public procurement, SOE appointments, and the electoral system.

South Africa is identified as the second-worst performer among G20 non-OECD member countries due to a lack of transparency and continued support for fossil fuels. Total government support averaged USD 10.9 billion between 2017 and 2019, with the largest portion directed toward fossil fuel-based power. Support increased by 14% relative to the 2014–2016 average, driven largely by price support. The document highlights significant unquantified support, including billions in bailouts and loan guarantees for the state-owned utility Eskom, as well as carbon tax exemptions for major emitters like Sasol.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) argues that the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) has failed to improve air quality since its 2007 declaration, leaving residents in breach of their constitutional right to a healthy environment. The CER highlights that the 2012 Air Quality Management Plan (AQMP) remains a mere guideline due to a lack of implementing regulations and the granting of 'rolling postponements' for minimum emission standards to major polluters like Eskom and Sasol. The CER demands the publication of enforcement regulations, a final Mid-Term Review of the AQMP, and a cessation of emission standard postponements to meet the 2020 goal of reducing industrial emissions.

The report examines South Africa's renewable energy landscape, highlighting the success of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REI4P) in attracting R195 billion in investment and creating 26,790 jobs. It argues that South Africa possesses world-class solar and wind resources that could allow for a 70% renewable energy share by 2040, reducing costs and emissions. However, the document identifies significant barriers, primarily the state utility Eskom's reluctance to sign power purchase agreements and a historical path-dependency on coal. It also discusses the rise of rooftop photovoltaics and the necessity of a 'just transition' to protect workers in the coal sector.

This document is a Task Order (No. 598) issued by Eskom for engineering and project management services to conduct a pre-feasibility study on a 'fleet renewal strategy' for four specific coal-fired power stations. The study aims to evaluate alternatives to the current decommissioning strategy, which is based on a 60-year technical life for coal stations.

The REIPPPP has successfully added 6,308.68 MW of renewable electricity to South Africa's grid and supported local industry, but it has been hindered by policy uncertainty, grid capacity bottlenecks, and a six-year gap between Bid Windows 4 and 5. The document argues that for the programme to reach the Integrated Resource Plan 2019 goals for solar PV and wind by 2030, South Africa must unbundle Eskom, establish an Independent Systems Market Operator (ISMO), and optimise transmission infrastructure. It recommends streamlining bid windows, enhancing regulatory transparency, and leveraging the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) to promote strategic localisation and job creation.

The Institute for Economic Justice (IEJ) critiques the 2023 SONA for relying on private sector solutions for infrastructure and the energy transition, which it argues undermines state capacity and affordability. While welcoming the National State of Disaster for the energy crisis and the extension of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, the IEJ highlights failures in grant accessibility and the imbalance of the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET-IP), where infrastructure receives 89.4% of funding compared to minimal allocations for skills and diversification. The IEJ calls for a radical shift toward a rights-centered development agenda, including the removal of Eskom's debt from its balance sheet and the implementation of a universal basic income grant.

The report examines the role of state-owned power companies (SPCs) in driving clean energy transitions within emerging markets. It highlights that while SPCs can advance energy security and socio-economic development, they often face significant debt and capital mobilization challenges. The document argues for a combination of visionary leadership, legal frameworks, shifted public finance from fossil fuels to clean energy, and innovative international financing tied to decarbonization progress. Through case studies of Eskom, NTPC, Vietnam Electricity (EVN), and Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), the report analyzes specific transition elements including just energy transition, renewable energy deployment, grid integration, and coal plant retirement.

The report examines the World Bank's 3.75 billion dollar loan to Eskom for the Medupi coal-fired power plant, asserting that the Bank's Economic Analysis ignored critical environmental and social costs. It highlights failures to assess transboundary impacts on Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique, as well as domestic risks regarding water scarcity, water quality, and air pollution. The authors argue that this pattern of under-valuing externalities leads to over-investment in large-scale centralized fossil fuel projects at the expense of decentralized renewables.

South Africa's climate policy is shaped by a conflict between its role as an international 'bridge-builder' and domestic structural barriers. While the government pursues a leadership role in multilateral forums and the BASIC group, domestic progress is hindered by a 'minerals-energy complex' dominated by coal-reliant entities like Eskom and Sasol, alongside urgent priorities to expand energy access and employment. The document highlights the diplomatic challenge of balancing relations with major emerging economies and other African nations while managing internal political and industrial pressures.

The Life After Coal Campaign, citing a report by the University of Cape Town's Energy Research Centre (ERC), argues that the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power stations are unnecessary, financially risky, and environmentally harmful. The campaign asserts that these projects would increase system costs by R19.68 billion and raise greenhouse gas emissions by 205.7Mt CO2eq over 30 years, potentially accelerating a 'utility death spiral' for Eskom. They contend the projects fail the 'value for money' requirement of the 2011 Electricity Regulations and urge the Minister of Energy to abandon them in favor of more economical renewable energy alternatives.

The document examines South Africa's struggle to transition from a high-carbon, coal-based energy economy to a green economy. It analyzes the role of the state-owned utility Eskom, the impact of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP), and various financial and regulatory incentives designed to attract private investment in renewables. The author argues that while policy signals are positive, a lack of inter-departmental coordination and the entrenched nature of the minerals-energy complex hinder the transition.

The CER argues that the DBSA's potential financing of the Thabametsi and Khanyisa coal-fired power plants contradicts its mandate for sustainable development and violates constitutional environmental rights. The CER highlights that these projects face significant legal challenges regarding licenses and would result in greenhouse gas emission intensities nearly 60% higher than Eskom's Medupi and Kusile plants. Furthermore, the CER cites evidence that South Africa has surplus base supply capacity and that these plants would increase costs by R19.68 billion compared to a least-cost energy system.

The Centre for Environmental Rights (CER) argues that South African local governments must be empowered to procure renewable energy to meet constitutional obligations under Section 24 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to a healthy environment. The CER contends that the current reliance on Eskom's coal-fired power stations causes significant health crises, including thousands of premature deaths and high greenhouse gas emissions. It asserts that renewable energy is now the most cost-effective option and that interpreting the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA) to allow municipal procurement is essential for a just energy transition and the realization of sustainable development.

This document is an Atmospheric Emission Licence (AEL) issued to Eskom Holdings SOC Limited for the Duvha Power Station in Mpumalanga, South Africa. Issued by the Mpumalanga Department of Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, the licence varies previous conditions following an appeal and establishes legal requirements for air quality management, emission limits, and monitoring for the facility's coal-fired power generation activities.