Building a just and sustainable energy future in South Africa

As South Africa grapples with the twin challenges of energy security and climate resilience, the Economic Development Partnership (EDP) is stepping up its efforts to drive collaboration and systemic change. Our Energy & Climate Programme Strategy 2025-2027 lays out a clear roadmap for fostering an inclusive, sustainable and just energy system, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Building partnering capabilities Participants engage with an exercise at a workshop to enhance capabilities for partnering and collaboration.

South Africa’s energy sector needs urgent action

South Africa remains heavily reliant on coal, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and exacerbating climate risks. While national commitments to transition towards renewables exist, the pace of implementation has been slow, hampered by regulatory hurdles, funding gaps and capacity constraints. Meanwhile, energy inequality is deepening, as wealthier households and businesses shift to private renewable solutions while vulnerable communities bear the brunt of the system’s energy shortfalls.

Exploring options Workshop participants engaged in a discussion about potential technologies available as sources of non-coal based energy.

At the same time, climate impacts—ranging from extreme weather to resource scarcity—are intensifying, with municipalities at the forefront of adaptation and resilience efforts. The technical, financial and administrative capacity to respond effectively is unevenly distributed across departments and geographies. A coordinated response can maximise capacity and impact in responding to these challenges. Without a coordinated approach, the disconnect between policy and implementation will only widen.

The EDP’s Energy & Climate programme aims to achieve better coordination in the country’s energy sector by strengthening collaboration and partnering. By aligning diverse stakeholders, the EDP can facilitate practical solutions for a more sustainable energy future.

A collaborative approach to powering change

Energy solutions must be locally responsive and collectively owned to be effective. At the core of the EDP strategy for the energy sector is the belief that partnering drives systemic change. We apply tools like the Partnering Implementation Model, the Partnering Framework and the Partnering Capabilities Assessment Tool to align government, business and civil society around common purposes. Our role as a neutral facilitator enables these diverse actors to co-create pathways towards an energy future that is resilient and just.

The Energy & Climate programme’s key focus areas include:

• Enhancing municipal capacity by supporting local governments to design and implement energy resilience and climate adaptation projects.
• Co-creating Just Transition implementation strategies by driving alignment across public, private and civil society actors which feed into inclusive policies and action plans.
• Scaling community-led climate innovation and adaption projects as potential solutions to empower communities to participate in the energy transition through alternative ownership models for energy services.
• Policy and regulatory engagement with national stakeholders to unlock regulatory barriers and accelerate enhancing the energy system’s resilience through the adoption of renewable energy.

Bringing the strategy to life

Investigating feasibility Stakeholders engage in a site visit to explore potential sites to establish energy resilient community hubs.

The EDP partners with a variety of funders to achieve this impact in the South African energy sector. These focus areas are expressed in a range of different concrete projects designed to make an impact, some outlined below.

• Developing Climate-Informed Economic Pathways (UK PACT). What economic opportunities are there in different climate change mitigation scenarios? This project seeks to answer this question by convening a consortium of stakeholders to translate decarbonisation scenarios into pathways of economic opportunities.
• Localising Just Transitions (ACF, HBF): How is a global imperative for climate change mitigation implemented at local government level, and what can we learn about how to do it better? This project works with the South African Local Government Association to build municipal capacity for implementing the Just Transition by producing case studies, dialogues and exploring the potential of a learning network.
• Unlocking Partnerships for Recycling (CCT Urban Waste Management, WWF): The solution to many wicked problems exists in more than one location. In this project, collaborating to strengthen waste diversion efforts provides an opportunity for economic inclusion of SMMEs and waste pickers in the City of Cape Town.
• Alternative Ownership Models for Energy Services (City of Cape Town): Building a resilient energy system in Cape Town means ensuring energy security among some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. This project explores innovative ways to ensure equitable energy access in informal settlements.

Partner with us to drive impact

The scale of South Africa’s energy and climate challenges demands a collective response. The Energy & Climate programme is positioned to foster this collaboration across geographic boundaries. With relationships established and growing in other parts of the country, the EDP is facilitating the cross-provincial engagement needed to support a thriving energy sector in South Africa. The EDP is committed to fostering a more resilient energy system that is inclusive and sustainable; success depends on strong collaboration across all sectors and regions.

We invite municipalities, businesses, civil society organisations and funders to partner with us in advancing this programme of work. Together, we can shape an energy future that is resilient and fair for all. For more information or to explore collaboration opportunities, contact the EDP: info@wcedp.co.za

Editing: Natalie Tannous.

This blog post is subject to the following disclaimer.