President Cyril Ramaphosa says more than US$13 billion has been pledged by the international community to support South Africa’s Just Energy Transition, marking significant progress in the country’s climate and energy reform agenda.
Delivering the State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 12 February, Ramaphosa said the Just Energy Transition is gaining momentum, with substantial international commitments complemented by growing private sector investment within the country.
“We are determined to meet our carbon reduction commitments, and will do so at a pace and scale that our country can afford,” the President said.
The Just Energy Transition forms part of broader reforms to restructure South Africa’s energy system, reduce reliance on carbon-intensive power generation, and expand renewable energy capacity while safeguarding jobs and economic stability.
Ramaphosa noted that the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, which came into effect on 1 January, signals the start of a new era in the electricity sector. Government will this year lay the foundations for a competitive electricity market, enabling multiple generation entities to emerge and compete over time.
He added that private sector investment will be mobilised to strengthen and expand the transmission network to connect more renewable energy projects to the grid.
The President said energy reform remains central to achieving long-term energy security, reducing the risk of load shedding, and supporting inclusive economic growth.
The pledged international funding and local private capital, he said, will play a critical role in supporting South Africa’s transition to a lower-carbon economy while maintaining public ownership of strategic infrastructure and ensuring sustainable
