In the news
Roundup of energy and electricity news and developments in South Africa
22 December 2025 to 4 January 2026
1. Eskom ends 2025 with plant performance on a high as annual EAF climbs above 62%.
2. €50m EU guarantee strengthens GreenCo’s role as regional power offtaker and trader.
3. Court rejects R54bn NERSA/Eskom settlement negotiated behind closed doors.
4. Ramaphosa appoints new Presidential Climate Commission to drive just transition.
5. Creditors, investors push back amid Eskom NTCSA/TSO independence debate.
6. Rising Eskom tariffs push industrial employers to the brink, fuelling job-cut warnings.
8 December 2025 to 21 December 2025
1. Nearly 1.3 GW of renewable energy capacity advances across SA in last two weeks.
2. Regional renewable energy progress in Botswana, Namibia and Eswatini.
3. The ups and downs in regional gas sector infrastructure developments.
4. Seven global consortia prequalify for R17-billion SA grid build programme.
5. Eskom unbundling redraws the roles of NTCSA and TSO, drawing sharp criticism.
6. Power price deadlock deepens aluminium smelter crisis in SA and Mozambique.
7. Renewables and resilience: SA’s evolving climate strategy attracts global capital.
8. Eskom moves to automate virtual wheeling amid regulatory tensions.
9. Leadership shifts and advisory appointments reshape SA’s electricity sector.
24 November to 7 December 2025
1. Eskom recovery gains traction, but significant challenges and wage tensions loom.
2. Smelter shutdowns deepen as electricity prices and stalled NPAs hit heavy industry.
3. Two weeks of fast-moving wind, solar PV and grid project announcements in SA.
4. A clear signal from NERSA that electricity market reform in SA is well underway.
5. A milestone for SA: Electricity trading sector expands with 24 licences granted.
6. Private sector gas roadmap advances as SA’s national gas masterplan stalls.
7. Mozambique gas off to a shaky start amid security concerns and UK financing blow.
8. Stefanutti Stocks’ Kusile claim cut to R580m as Eskom dispute finally ends.
10 November to 23 November 2025
1. Treasury backs Eskom takeover of failing municipal networks amid 71% debt surge.
2. Unnecessary red tape vs. rooftop solar: a legal battle brewing over SSEG rules.
3. SA secures major renewables commitments from Europe, Norfund and private sector.
4. From planning to commissioning, regional renewable energy accelerates.
5. Upstream O&G progress in Nam and Moz while SA faces looming gas crunch.
6. Dion George fallout deepens as axed minister set to file defamation claim.
7. Energy Performance Certificates set to reshape SA’s building efficiency landscape.
8. From waste to watts: landfill gas in Cape Town and solar micro-grid in Mossel Bay.
27 October to 9 November 2025
1. SA’s R2.2-trillion IRP 2025 aims to deliver secure, lower-carbon electricity.
2. Green industrialisation offers SA least-cost path to energy security and net-zero.
3. Risks identified in 2026–2030 system adequacy outlook require critical balancing act.
4. Koeberg Unit 1 returns after major maintenance; Unit 2 gets 20-year licence extension.
5. High court ruling forces transparency in South Africa’s municipal electricity tariffs.
6. Sasol’s methane-rich gas (MRG) plan delays gas cliff to 2030, raises cost questions.
7. SA extends gas-to-power RFP deadline while Mozambique LNG costs surge.
8. Renewables progress manages major growth milestones with robust project pipeline.
9. Mixed fortunes for heavy industry as Eskom CEO questions discount power deals.
13 October to 26 October 2025
1. Energy sector waits in anticipation after delayed gazetting of IRP 2025.
2. Eskom simplifies rooftop solar compliance rules; customers poised to save R400m.
3. IPP Office defends arduous ITP bid criteria amid concerns over local participation.
4. From Cabo Delgado to Karoo: SADC’s oil & gas sector enters a moment of reflection.
5. PBMR pipedream or nuclear renaissance for South Africa's aged SMR technology?
6. Utility-scale private PPAs with traders drive South Africa’s renewables surge.
7. Wheeling and trading of electricity is not only for the big boys.
29 September to 12 October 2025
1. European Union pledges R230bn toward South Africa’s clean-energy future.
2. Eskom swings from R25.5bn loss to R23.9bn profit, but recovery remains fragile.
3. Leadership shake-up, pay hikes and union pressure on Eskom test fragile turnaround.
4. Eskom suspends trader challenge, awaits trading rules amid competition pressure.
5. From wheeling to mining: large electricity trading projects push market reform.
6. Solar + storage meets AI: new Botswana project aims to anchor tech infrastructure.
7. TotalEnergies warns of South Africa investment freeze over permit paralysis.
15 September to 28 September 2025
1. Supreme Court of Appeal blocks 3000 MW G2P plant over environmental flaws.
2. Ramokgopa promises to end “load reduction” in 18 months, seeks community buy-in.
3. Relief in the works as ferrochrome smelters clamour for favoured electricity prices.
4. NERSA approves four new electricity trading licences amid Eskom legal challenge.
5. Renewables powerhouse launched, eyes 6 GW by 2030 and SADC expansion.
6. Multiple wind projects gain momentum in South Africa as wind sector accelerates.
7. Surge in solar PV deployments: residential, commercial, industrial, mining and utility.
8. Renergen and Springbok Solar reach settlement, coexistence deal ends legal dispute.
9. Vodacom’s virtual wheeling project completed amid obstacles by Eskom for traders.
1 September to 14 September 2025
1. NERSA in crisis after R54bn tariff “mistake” stirs growing outrage.
2. NECSA board in disarray as multiple directors resign amid governance battle.
3. Standard Bank, IDC and KfW back major green energy projects in South Africa.
4. Smart meter rollout – but without a wholistic approach, can this end electricity theft?
5. New IPPO CEO faces strategic shift as IPP sector looks for renewed momentum.
6. Vodacom’s virtual wheeling project completed amid obstacles by Eskom for traders.
7. The road toward the launch of SAWEM: licensing, regulation and technology.
18 August to 31 August 2025
1. Electricity shock: Consumers to pay R54bn for latest NERSA tariff blunder.
2. Eskom's Green Leap Forward: 291 MW solar offtake plan amid competition clashes.
3. Solar surge: South Africa lights up with new solar power projects.
4. Mergers, acquisitions and a JSE listing in South Africa’s energy sector.
5. TNPA and NERSA ink 10-year MoU to align approvals for energy infrastructure.
6. Electricity trader initiatives advance even as Eskom courts uncertainty.
7. Some rough seas and turbulence in Southern Africa’s oil, gas and liquid fuel sectors.
4 August to 17 August 2025
1. Minister warns Eskom: Drop trader court fight and avoid market reform setback.
2. To be, or not to be: Mozal at the crossroads as electricity deal falls through.
3. OUTA recommends homeowners hold off with solar PV system registration.
4. Oil and gas exploration derailed: Environmental activists score another legal win.
5. Seriti Green, Eskom Green and AIIM propel South Africa’s renewables sector forward.
6. Carbon clampdown: South Africa gazettes tougher 2035 targets and emissions rules.
7. South Africa’s nuclear curveball: Duynefontein greenlit, while activists hit the alarm.
8. eThekwini approved to procure 400 MW of power, but questions remain on gas supply.
21 July to 3 August 2025
1. South Africa kicks off private grid build with $500m credit guarantee reform.
2. South Africa secures €500m and $475m in DFI loans to drive energy sector reform.
3. Electricity trading gains momentum despite Eskom court challenge.
4. Court sinks Karpowership for good as NERSA folds without a fight.
5. R1bn blow compounds cracks in new steam generators: Koeberg stumbles again.
6. Six further solar PV projects named preferred bidders in REIPPPP Bid Window 7.
7. Cahora Bassa expansion and Mphanda Nkuwa Dam win World Bank backing.
8. Regional oil, gas and liquid fuels at the crossroads, with opportunities and threats.
9. City Power corruption probe deepens amid financial collapse in Johannesburg.
7 July to 20 July 2025
1. Eskom Distribution and NTCSA leadership shuffle raises questions of independence.
2. New trading licence applications spotlight unfinished rules and legal uncertainty.
3. The long road to recovery as Eskom battles setbacks in its coal and nuclear revival.
4. Price shocks ahead: NERSA missteps could add massively to electricity tariffs.
5. Fishers vs. Fossil Fuels: Shell’s offshore plans trigger environmental outrage.
6. Power crisis at Mozal: Deal breaker sparks Mozambique smelter uncertainty.
7. The just energy transition (JET) tests coal workers and Eskom's clean power plans.
23 June to 6 July 2025
1. National blackout in Zimbabwe with some progress in Zambia widens power divide.
2. Ex-Eskom chiefs Molefe and Singh arrested in R93bn Transnet fraud case.
3. Power play or pricey perk? Eskom’s secret smelter deals under fire.
4. R4.9bn billing dispute settled, but deeper issues linger between Eskom and City Power.
5. Plugging in power: South Africa’s BESS boom amid plunging battery power prices.
6. R2.5bn AfDB lifeline for Joburg as City Power faces maladministration storm.
9 June to 22 June 2025
1. Major concessional funding boost for South Africa’s energy transition.
2. Private sector embedded and wheeled generation surges in Q4 2024/25.
3. Helium producer’s share price balloons amid Phase II momentum and buyout offer.
4. Green hydrogen hype meets hard questions at the Africa Green Hydrogen Summit.
5. South Africa mandates energy-efficient motors to ease grid pressures.
6. South African power play: Digitalisation facilitates growth in distributed generation.
12 May to 25 May 2025
1. Sasol and Discovery Green launch green electricity trading opportunity for SMEs.
2. Other wheeling and trading initiatives in South Africa and Zambia power ahead.
3. Sasol slashes green capex but commits to meet its 2030 emissions reduction target.
4. Lauch of the South African National Petroleum Company: ambition meets uncertainty.
5. TotalEnergies eyes twin energy frontiers in Africa – Mozambique and Namibia.
6. Eastern Cape aims to pioneer a green hydrogen hub.
26 May to 8 June 2025
1. Two massive renewable energy projects – one wind, the other solar – power ahead.
2. Eskom blocks Traders from Virtual Wheeling, impeding market liberalisation progress.
3. SA becomes a major battery energy storage (BES) destination on the global stage.
4. R100m boost to charge EV future, and 100 locally made MAN electric buses ordered.
5. IPP Office faces shake‑up as procurement shortcomings prompt strategic overhaul.
6. Further PetroSA scandals erupt as new state oil company sets ambitious agenda.
7. Grid overhaul on horizon: South Africa to unlock private investment with bold reforms.
28 April to 11 May 2025
1. NERSA and Eskom unveil game-changing wheeling reforms for third-party grid access.
2. Stakeholder engagements continue on SA’s energy and electricity future.
3. Two senior energy sector executives exit in a power sector leadership shake-up.
4. Proposed import duties may slow SA’s renewable energy drive.
5. NERSA approves curtailment rules, unlocking grid access for wind energy projects.
6. Eskom plans on “assisting” failing municipal distributors, while unions push back.
7. SA powers up, with major gas and liquid fuel supply infrastructure projects unveiled.
14 April to 27 April 2025
1. Red Rocket’s 144 MW Rietkloof and Brandvalley wind farms power into operation.
2. Sasol’s synthetic gas lifeline buys South Africa time – but at a price.
3. NERSA unveils gas strategy to avert looming energy crisis.
4. New threats of legal action and power cuts for Johannesburg in electricity debt dispute.
5. ARTsolar action in local content controversy sparks gag order backlash.
6. Eskom issues tender in move to launch a new renewable energy company.
7. Samsung Heavy Industries nears $2.5bn deal for Mozambique FLNG project.
31 March to 13 April 2025
1. EDF Renewables energises South Africa’s first IPP-built main transmission substation.
2. Fuel tax fury: RAF battles SARS over R5.1bn refund to Eskom.
3. Grid opens to private investment with new transmission and wheeling regulations.
4. Ministerial determination announced for 1164 km private powerline programme.
5. Exemption from air pollution limits granted to eight Eskom coal-fired power stations.
6. South Africa and China sign MoU to further cooperation in nuclear technologies.
7. New coal-fired power and renewables considered as Botswana power crisis bites.
17 March to 30 March 2025
1. Some long-awaited progress amid further energy planning delays for South Africa.
2. Wake-up jolt as Eskom customers face tariff hikes 3x the inflation rate tomorrow.
3. Ministerial determination for 1164 km of new 400 kV lines for South Africa gazetted
4. Important milestone on Kusile power station’s long and arduous road to completion.
5. SA’s nuclear plans intensify amid leadership changes and international scrutiny.
6. Leadership uncertainty at South Africa’s IPP Office raises concerns.
7. Major renewable energy projects continue unabated over last two weeks.
3 March to 16 March 2025
1. EU pledges R94bn to South Africa amid global trade tensions.
2. Budget clarifies some government intentions concerning energy and electricity.
3. South Africa's National Treasury reduces Eskom debt relief package by over R20bn.
4. Red Rocket reaches financial close for South Africa’s largest wind farm.
5. Mpumalanga launches agrivoltaics tender to boost renewable energy and agriculture.
6. Final demise of South Africa’s solar water heater programme, costing R325m.
17 February to 2 March 2025
1. Eskom’s load shedding crisis: Confusion, contradictions and uncertainty.
2. South Africa’s renewable energy boom: Record private power projects surge past R200bn.
3. Cape Town secures R2.9bn boost for green energy and grid expansion.
4. South Africa walks a tightrope in G20 energy talks as JET funding faces uncertainty.
5. Sasol adjusts emissions strategy while boosting Secunda output.
6. Renewable energy projects in South Africa: The only new power game in town right now.
7. Eskom’s R109bn municipal debt crisis: SCOPA, Government push for solutions.
3 February to 16 February 2025
1. South Africa inks 25-year deal for first LNG import terminal in Richards Bay.
2. PetroSA's troubled deals spark scrutiny of its consulting and legal advisory firms.
3. Manganese Metal Company and Richards Bay Minerals shift to renewable energy.
4. Mining giants unite for 400-million-litre renewable diesel initiative.
5. NERSA subcommittee backs Eskom’s retail tariff plan but puts brakes on fixed charges.
6. South Africa unlocks private investment and cuts red tape for infrastructure development.
7. Exxaro CEO resigns amid governance probes.
20 January to 2 February 2025
1. NERSA approves 12.7% price hike as Eskom declares R17.8b interim profit.
2. Eskom announces load shedding two days after adverse electricity price decision.
3. Shock report to Parliament by the Auditor General on the state of Eskom.
4. Probe initiated into the SA Bureau of Standards amid corruption allegations.
5. Discovery Green secures multiple wheeling agreements for renewable energy.
6. South African airports grapple with fuel and power supply challenges.
7. R3.7b gas-to-liquids plant refurbishment deal with Russian bank on verge of collapse.
8. South Africa's national transmission company launches pilot project to modernise grid.
6 January to 19 January 2025
1. Innovative 250 MW concentrated solar PV plant with thermal hydro storage in SA.
2. Fire at Sasol’s Natref plant disrupts liquid-fuel supply chain in South Africa.
3. BlackRock’s climate about-turn: implications for South Africa and the world.
4. Namibia’s oil ambitions face setback as Shell writes off R76bn exploration costs.
5. Government faces court action over Eskom emissions amid deteriorating air quality.
9 December 2024 to 5 January 2025
1. Eskom reports R55bn loss for FY 2023/24 but predicts profit turnaround in 2025.
2. Unit 2 at Koeberg nuclear power plant back online following extended shutdown.
3. Gas supply disruption: South Africa urges diplomacy amid Mozambique unrest.
4. Big wins for renewable energy as successful bidders announced in South Africa.
5. South Africa powers ahead with $27bn electric vehicle incentive plan.
6. Nine injured in explosion at Eskom’s Matla power station, one critical.
7. Eskom EAF, PCLF and UCLF data augers well for an end to load shedding.