The Energy Council of South Africa has identified grid infrastructure expansion and regulatory clarity on grid access as a top priority for 2025/26, warning that delays risk stalling new generation deployment and electricity reform.
In its latest operational review, released after its July AGM, the Energy Council says energy reform implementation remains complex with grid-related issues among the most pressing. James Mackay, CEO of the Energy Council of South Africa, says the current pace of new generation coming online is insufficient to address load shedding risks. He is calling for urgent action to unlock investment in transmission infrastructure and streamline access procedures.
The report highlights three immediate focus areas:
- Expanding grid infrastructure and resolving access rule uncertainty
- Supporting the phased rollout of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market from 2026
- Providing capacity support to the Department of Electricity and Energy and the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
The Energy Council has seconded around 300 technical professionals to support the Energy Action Plan since 2022. Its call for grid-focused reform comes as Eskom’s Grid Access Unit and NERSA work to finalise revised allocation methodologies and accelerate transmission investment.
