The energy transition is often spoken about in ambitious. But ultimately it is about cities trying to implement plans, municipalities grappling with rising costs, and communities asking a simple question: what does this mean for us?

How initiatives supported by UK Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions (UK PACT) are strengthening municipal climate action, participation and implementation capacity 

South Africa’s energy transition is often spoken about in big, ambitious terms—net-zero targets, renewable energy growth, and system reform. But on the ground, the transition is something far more complex. It is about cities trying to implement plans, municipalities grappling with rising costs, and communities asking a simple question: what does this mean for us? 

Across its UK PACT-supported work, Sustainable Energy Africa (SEA) is engaging directly with these realities, working alongside cities, municipalities, and communities to help translate climate ambition into action that is both practical and inclusive. 

What is emerging is not a single solution, but a set of interlinked efforts that together begin to answer one of the most important questions of our time: how do we make the energy transition work for everyone? 

From planning to action 

Across many cities, the foundation for climate action is already in place. Plans have been developed, targets set, and pathways outlined. The challenge now lies in turning these plans into action. 

Work underway to review and strengthen city climate action plans, such as in Johannesburg, highlights the importance of regularly updating strategies to reflect new policy, improved data, and evolving local priorities. At the same time, cities are developing tools and systems to better track progress and support more coordinated implementation. 

This requires more than technical updates. It involves strengthening data systems, improving emissions tracking, and ensuring that climate action is embedded across city departments. Just as importantly, it requires bringing stakeholders along, so that climate plans are not static documents but living frameworks that guide decision-making and investment. 

Keeping affordability at the centre 

At the same time, the transition is unfolding within a difficult economic context. While electricity access is widespread, affordability remains a pressing concern for many households. 

As the energy system evolves, with changing tariff structures and new market dynamics, these pressures risk intensifying if not carefully managed. Municipalities are increasingly having to balance financial sustainability with their role in delivering basic services. 

Efforts in this space are therefore focusing on strengthening how tariffs are set, improving the effectiveness of subsidy mechanisms, and building a clearer understanding of the trade-offs involved. Supporting municipalities to navigate these complexities is essential to ensuring that the transition does not place additional strain on vulnerable households. 

Without this, even well-designed energy reforms risk losing traction. 

Expanding participation and ownership 

Beyond affordability, there is growing recognition that the transition must also address questions of participation, specifically, who benefits from the shift to cleaner energy. 

Emerging work is exploring how renewable energy projects can include communities more directly. This includes developing and testing models that enable municipalities and communities to co-develop projects, while also identifying practical approaches to structuring ownership and sharing benefits. 

Whether through guidance, toolkits, or real-world pilot projects, these efforts are beginning to demonstrate how inclusive energy models can move from concept to implementation. 

While these models are still evolving, they point toward a more inclusive approach – one that goes beyond energy provision to support local development, build trust, and strengthen long-term sustainability. 

Connecting the transition 

What is becoming clear is that these challenges are closely linked. Planning, affordability, and participation are not separate issues, they form part of a broader system that must be addressed together. 

Strong climate plans need to be supported by implementation capacity and accessible data. Affordable energy systems are essential for maintaining public support. And meaningful participation helps ensure that the benefits of the transition are more widely shared. 

As South Africa’s energy transition continues to take shape, these interconnected efforts offer important insights into what is required to move from ambition to impact. 

A successful transition will not only reduce emissions, it will also need to be affordable, locally grounded, and inclusive by design. By working across these dimensions, SEA and its partners are helping to build a clearer pathway toward a transition that works for everyone.