South Africa’s Cabinet last week endorsed a R2.23 trillion Integrated Resource Plan to chart the country’s energy transition through 2050.

The government described the plan as: “a long-term plan designed to map out the country's electricity mix, aiming to balance supply and demand while considering environmental impact and the cost of electricity.” It represents: “a R2.23 trillion investment that will define South Africa's energy mix for the future.”

The policy: “aims to reduce the environmental footprint of electricity by limiting both global and local emissions. It focuses on addressing immediate capacity constraints and planning for long-term goals, such as achieving a Net Zero electricity sector by 2050.” Officials said: “The IRP 2025 is an improvement to the IRP 2023 that was approved by Cabinet.”

The plan sets a multi-decade framework for balancing energy security, affordability, and decarbonisation, anchoring future investment sequencing and procurement to national climate objectives.