Rapid electricity supply diversification in municipalities is the key to economic recovery, municipal financial sustainability and a permanent end to load shedding

This policy brief was developed by PARI’s Energy Transition programme, whose overarching goal is to contribute to the successful implementation of a Just Energy Transition (JET) in South Arica; a transition that will contribute both to decarbonisation goals and an equitable energy system that reduces poverty and inequality. Load shedding isn’t our only serious electricity problem. South Africa urgently needs additional sources of electricity that are as low-cost as possible to permanently shift the economy onto a higher development path. With nuclear shown to be at least four times more expensive and notably slower, research shows that municipalities need to rapidly deploy renewable energy solutions, and could save as much as 5 billion per annum.