The Energy Council of South Africa has become a member of the World Energy Council (WEC). This development will boost opportunities for the SA council, giving it access to international resources and global networks, it said in a statement.

The World Energy Council is an independent umbrella body with over 100 countries as members.

“The World Energy Council's mission to promote the sustainable supply and use of energy for the greatest benefit of all people is especially relevant to Africa’s energy poverty challenges, and their approach to enabling and accelerating successful energy transitions directly supports the purpose of the Energy Council of South Africa, namely creating a thriving and sustainable energy future, that drives inclusive economic growth for all South Africans,” the Energy Council of South Africa said.

South Africa has made firm commitments towards transitioning to a net zero future economy through the Paris Agreement and pending national emissions legislation. “Although the required energy transition will be a significant challenge, it is a significant opportunity for economic growth and clean industrialisation of South Africa. This energy transition will unlock the largest ever capital investment portfolio we will undertake as an economy, which must be put to work to reinvigorate local manufacturing, create meaningful jobs and spur innovation and skills development for our youth,” the council said.

The council will be sending a South Africa delegation to the World Energy Congress in April in Rotterdam, which is a gathering of over 18 000 WEC affiliates and members focusing on the 2024 theme of ‘Redesigning Energy for People and Planet’.

South Africa has had a representative in the World Energy Council since its inception. The South African National Energy Association (SANEA) was previously part of the global body.

Focused mostly on non-renewable energy, members of the Energy Council of South Africa include TotalEnergies, Shell, Sasol and Eskom, among others.