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Spiralling: Electricity tariffs have risen by more than 1 100% since 2007. In addition to consumption costs,
there are layered costs for generation, theft and non-payment, among others. Photo: Madelene Cronje

Paying more for less power

Citizens are paying far more for electricity despite using less of it, as rising tariffs, fixed monthly charges and municipal costs reshape household bills and intensify…

Electrician Morithi Manasoe Working On Installing Solar Panels. Photo: Supplied

Malawi’s solar push bypasses its poorest

A peer-reviewed study finds wealth inequality is locking the poorest households out of solar electrification

A scene from the floods that killed more than 450 people in KwaZulu-Natal in April 2022 shows the damage. (Delwyn Verasamy)

Study: Linking climate change to health doubles support for public action

New research shows that health-based climate messaging significantly increases public support for government action, especially in South Africa where concern over children and…

Alternative energy sources: An Afrobarometer survey highlights Zimbabwean citizens’ dissatisfaction with electricity provision. Photo: GGA

Rural community energy options amid climate change

For most households, solar energy is used for lighting, powering radios and charging cellphones but only a few can afford high-capacity systems that enable them to meet household…

Power: Ipeleng Mhlanga aims to make solar accessible to people
who would not be able to afford it. Photo: Supplied

Solar firm to tackle high electricity costs

As electricity tariffs continue to rise, squeezing household and small business budgets, a new solar company has entered the market with stokvel and crowdfunding models aimed at…

SOLA Group reaches Financial Close and begins construction on landmark hybrid solar and battery project for Sasol and Air Liquide

SOLA Group has achieved Financial Close (FC) on its Naos-1 Hybrid Solar and Battery Project, a 300 MW (435 MWp) solar PV facility with 660 MWh of battery energy storage (BESS).…

(Dean Hutton/Bloomberg via Getty Image

South Africa’s energy future lies in innovation

Consumers responded to load-shedding by installing solar energy. In response, Eskom chose higher tariffs instead of encouraging the move to clean energy

Otsile Bokamoso, an after-school educational organisation, has helped thousands of learners through the support of a local community trust. Pictured here is its founder, Sophile Motsumi, along with some of the students. Photo: Motlatsi Mofokeng
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Community trusts are greening the future

The trusts are designed to ensure that a portion of the profits of renewable energy projects are shared with the people who live near them

Alberto Gambacorta is the new Scatec General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa

Scatec strengthens regional leadership with appointment of Alberto Gambacorta as General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa

Scatec ASA announced the appointment of Alberto Gambacorta as General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa, reinforcing the company’s commitment to renewable energy development in the…

The promise of $300 billion by 2035 is not only insufficient; it’s a betrayal of the principles of climate justice. (Guillem Sartorio/Getty Images)

Renewable energy sector doesn’t provide long-term job security

Most jobs are for the installation period only, and are therefore temporary

The expedition highlighted the potential that mobility, powered by renewable energy, had to transform livelihoods across Africa.

African-made electric motorcycle completes solar-powered journey from Nairobi to Stellenbosch

The innovative expedition has highlighted the need for electric mobility on the continent

The perfect energy infrastructure storm

Failure to deliver infrastructure impacts on basic social needs

Turbines on the Roggeveld Wind Farm.

Give me power

Red Rocket on a mission to answer businesses’ call for more energy

More businesses are now using solar panels for energy. Photo: David Harrison

Eskom: Solar energy does not help during peak load-shedding hours

More businesses are taking on solar projects, what does this mean?

The energy transition itself carries human rights risks. If clean energy is built on compromised rights, it will not be sustainable in the long term. Photo: Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg/Getty Images

Green energy: Three key issues to ensure South Africa’s transition does not deepen inequality

These include retraining workers who face retrenchment and developing supply chains that give opportunities to small, micro and medium enterprises

The Just Energy Transition is a shift to lower carbon technologies and resources, while ensuring that society, jobs and livelihoods will not be harmed. (CFOTO/Future Publishing via Getty Images)

The end of the energy crisis might be in sight — from our roofs

Changes to the law and subsidies for solar, are steps in the right direction

Former Eskom chief executive Andre de Ruyter. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg)

Eskom’s De Ruyter calls for phasing out of coal in favour of renewables

The government should support independent power producers to come online faster

Pay your electricity bill or have your power switched off. File photo

Practical steps to stop load-shedding and secure electricity security

SA is in a state of emergency regarding power supply and must act accordingly with quick and decisive interventions

The bad news headlines may be true but the good news is often overlooked

There are reasons South Africa is one of the most desired countries to relocate

The bad news headlines may be true but the good news is often overlooked

Hot stuff: Students at the Tshwane University of Technology built the SunChaser 4, which is powered by solar panels. The single-seater stopped at schools along the route from Pretoria to Swakopmund in Namibia to introduce learners to the applications of renewable energy

University’s SunChaser uses solar power for trip to Namibia

The high-tech vehicle used the road trip to visit schools and raise awareness about renewable energy