Inclusive Energy Models in South African Municipalities

SEA's role in this project explored the challenges of affordable electricity service delivery and established an evidence base to equip government to review current policies related to electricity access and explore how to mitigate the potentially negative impacts of renewable energy development on the sustainability of basic electricity access across the country.  

South Africa’s Just Energy Transition commitments emphasise the need for a transition rooted in social justice, economic equity and the protection of vulnerable groups. As renewable energy expands, there is growing momentum to ensure that it delivers shared public benefit through inclusive and community-oriented ownership models.
While municipalities are increasingly procuring renewable energy for self-consumption, meaningful community participation and benefit-sharing mechanisms remain underdeveloped, particularly for women, youth, SMMEs and marginalised groups. International experience shows that community participation delivers significant economic, social, and political benefits.

The project, Inclusive Energy Models in South African Municipalities, seeks to enable municipalities and communities to structure inclusive, investable renewable energy initiatives aligned with a decentralised energy future. Drawing on international and local experience, including Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) projects, the initiative aims to advance practical, context-appropriate models that support local empowerment, improved public sector coordination, economic development and community resilience.

The project will be in collaboration with Kouga Local Municipality, with targeted stakeholder engagements to ensure solutions are feasible, replicable and grounded in local realities.

Funder: UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions)

Timeline: January 2026-December 2026

Project Team: Megan Euston-Brown, Tanaka Shumba-Mukudu, Simisha Pather-Elias, Zanie Cilliers, Itumeleng Morosele, Gwynne Liversage, Oratiloe Sathekge, Sinalo Thuku