Corporate electricity buyers, represented by RE100, have called on the South African government to accelerate market reform, expand transmission infrastructure, and improve procurement and wheeling frameworks to support their renewable energy targets.
RE100, a global initiative of companies committed to sourcing 100% renewable electricity, includes over 100 member organisations with operations in South Africa such as Apple, Deloitte, Samsung and Schneider Electric.
“The private sector is the leading consumer of electricity in the country and over 100 RE100 member companies with operations in South Africa have set a target to use 100% renewable energy-based electricity by 2050 at the latest,” the group said.
In a policy paper released on July 8 with the National Business Initiative, RE100 outlines five priority areas:
- Electricity market reform: Fast-track South African Wholesale Electricity Market implementation by 2026 with day-ahead and real-time markets, and support operationalisation of the National Transmission Company South Africa.
- Renewable energy targets: Set annual procurement targets of 3-5 GW to 2030 and 6-8 GW from 2030, aligned with a revised Integrated Resource Plan.
- Corporate procurement: Standardise power purchase agreements and wheeling frameworks to simplify direct renewable electricity purchases.
- Grid and permitting: Expand transmission infrastructure and streamline permitting for new connections.
- Green power options: Encourage opt-in renewable tariffs from Eskom and municipalities, and revise net billing rules to support on-site generation.
