International investment opportunities for nuclear energy development are available, but South Africa must prepare and equip its industry to capitalise on these opportunities by learning from the mistakes and success of others, and embracing the knowledge base of global nuclear executives, says strategic consulting firm Izibani Consultancy founder Dr Yves Guenon. Speaking in the wake of the 2025 World Nuclear Exhibition, held in November in Paris, in France, he notes that the event was attended by many South African C-Suite executives and local representatives – from small companies in niche markets to medium- and large-sized corporates from South Africa.
Maturing policy frameworks, improving battery storage solutions economics, private-sector investment and the introduction of the wholesale energy market creates a powerful foundation for long-term stability in the South African energy sector, says solar asset management company Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS) chief growth and marketing officer Anja Visagie. SPS is excited to continue supporting the energy transition and the realisation of this market through technically robust, commercially viable renewable-energy solutions for businesses across sub-Saharan Africa.
As South Africa’s electricity market transformation creates new opportunities for smart energy management and cost optimisation, smaller municipalities are finding themselves at a disadvantage compared to well-resourced metros, says specialised energy and water management solutions developer Utility Consulting Services (UTCS). In an effort to tackle this inequality UTCS is making advanced digital energy platforms accessible to rural and under-resourced municipalities that previously lacked the means to participate fully in the new energy economy.
The demothballing of South Africa’s second nuclear energy solution, the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) at the Pelindaba site, in the North West province, was formally announced by Energy and Electricity Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa in November last year. This represents a renewed commitment to energy security and diversification, positioning South Africa as a leader in small modular reactor (SMR) technology. “Although the project will still be referred to as the PBMR, the actual original PBMR design will not be reactivated,” says nuclear physicist and Stratek Global chairperson Dr Kelvin Kemm.
The Presidency’s Rudi Dicks, who is overseeing the economic reforms being implemented under Operation Vulindlela, says the unbundling of Eskom’s transmission business cannot be done “half-heartedly” if South Africa is to introduce the competition needed to help improve electricity affordability. Speaking during a panel discussion hosted by Bowmans on the financing of South Africa’s just energy transition, Dicks expressed his support for the full unbundling of the transmission business and assets from Eskom Holdings.
A new online portal has been launched to enable project originators and/or financiers to determine quickly whether the project being assessed aligns with the principles of South Africa’s just transition and could, thus, qualify for just-transition financing. Developed by Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), the Just Transition Finance Tool is free to use and has been designed to provide a consistent, evidence-based way to assess a project’s just credentials using an algorithm that interrogates the project’s climate, socioeconomic and community objectives.
Green energy company Engie South Africa has appointed Sanjeev Mungroo MD of its renewables and batteries business, effective January 1.
Engie South Africa says in a statement issued on January 22 that Mungroo’s appointment marks a strategic step forward for the company’s growth in the country and a personal full-circle moment as Mungroo was the company’s third employee when it first established operations in the country.
In this article, South African offgrid electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure developer Zero Carbon Charge co-founder and chairperson Joubert Roux writes about the renewed use of oil as a geopolitical weapon under US President Donald Trump and what this means for South Africa as a fuel-import-dependent economy.
The UK and the African Development Bank extended a climate-linked $1-billion debt guarantee to South Africa, saving a $400-million municipal funding deal that was in jeopardy if it had expired. The guarantee, part of a $10-billion climate-finance pact between South Africa and some of the world’s richest nations, was due to expire at the end of last year. The pact is known as the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
Retail giant the Shoprite Group has powered up its 100th solar photovoltaic (PV) system, more than ten years after launching its first solar project in 2015. With an installed capacity of more than 43 300 kWp, the company says it solar portfolio ranks among the largest of any South African private company.
INDUSTRY NEWS
- RMB provides R4.45bn funding to expand Reatile’s energy investmentsFebruary 5, 2026 - 5:04 pm
- BLSA Reform Tracker says Eskom unbundling strategy ‘broke with the approved reform plan’February 5, 2026 - 5:04 pm
- Eskom unbundling plan could be ‘major setback’ for electricity reform – BusaFebruary 4, 2026 - 3:04 pm
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